Examining the Sources of Youth Attitudes toward the Police across Social Contexts

• In Event: Youth, Punishment and the Criminal Justice System

Abstract

Research suggests that youth attitudes toward the police are often shaped by negative personal experiences with law enforcement, which in turn erode trust and respect for the police. However, much of this literature is focused on youth from disadvantaged neighborhoods or does not take social context into account. In the current study, we offer a comparative approach in examining youth attitudes from four communities with contrasting demographics and access to resources for youth. Data from youth focus groups conducted in each of these communities illustrate how social context, individual experiences, and other sources shape youth attitudes about the police. Results also indicate that although youth are skeptical about the police across communities, it is clear that youth have confidence that the police are key to reducing crime and also that youth desire opportunities for positive, non-criminal justice encounters with the police.

Authors

• Julie LaBagnara, University of Massachusetts Boston

• Erin Cournoyer Allain, University of Massachusetts Boston

• Heather Zaykowski, University of Massachusetts Boston