Juvenile Delinquency And Labeling Theory - 2511 Words

Juvenile Delinquency and Labeling Theory Kallie Maglione St. John’s University CRM 119 Juvenile Delinquency Dr. Marquis R. White October 23, 2014 Bartusch, D. J., Matsueda, R. L. (1996). Gender, reflected appraisals, and labeling: A cross-group test of an interactionist theory of delinquency. Social Forces, 75(1), 145. Focuses mainly on interactionist theory but uses labeling theory as a type of interaction that affects delinquency. Labeling specifically in relation to gender, used to explain the gender gap in juvenile delinquency. Used data from the 1976 National Youth Survey, a longitudinal study, uses a multistage cluster sampling, sample includes 1,725 11-17 year-olds, using the first three annual waves of data. Used personal interviews to collect self-report of delinquency, parents appraisals of their children, and youths reflected appraisals of themselves from the standpoint of parents, friends, and teachers. Labeling theory implies that males are more likely than females to be labeled delinquent, in part because they engage in more objective acts of rule violation, and in part because common stereotypes portray delinquency as a male phenomenon. Except status offenses, which are more often reported for and enforced on females rather than males. Believed that females may be more relationship -oriented, making them more sensitive to public opinion. The labeling process is more consequential for females than for males is also unsupported.Show MoreRelatedThe Labeling Theory For Juvenile Delinquency1577 Words   |  7 PagesThe Labeling Theory The labeling theory addresses deviants and puts concern on behaviors that other theories do not. Most theories are primarily concerned with why individuals commit more crime. Rather than analyzing the occurrence of crimes among social groups, the labeling theory challenge us to truly understand deviants and what it means to be categorized as a deviant individual. Unlike the control theories that assumes all of us must be held in check or â€Å"controlled† if we are to resist the temptationRead MoreJuvenile Delinquency And How It Is Social Control Theory, Labeling, And Crime Essay2360 Words   |  10 PagesJuvenile Delinquency and How it Relates to Social Control Theory, Labeling Perspective, Aggressiveness and Crime Pat Akers Howard Payne University Abstract This paper explores three topics (Social Control Theory, Labeling Perspective, Aggressiveness and Crime) and explores how they relate through Juvenile Delinquency. Social Control Theory is what occurs when young adults do not have a good foundational upbringing from their parents and as such, they will tend to stray into more deviant behaviorsRead MoreRelationship Between Police Intervention And Juvenile Delinquency1459 Words   |  6 PagesStephanie A. Wiley and Finn-Aage Esbensen’s article (2016) research the relationship between police intervention and juvenile delinquency and what polices are ideal for deterring deviance amplification. There are two main theories that initiate America’s juvenile justice system: labeling and deterrence. Essentially, labeling proponents believe that official intervention increases delinquency and, oppositely, deterrence theorists argue that it cracks down on deviancy. Wiley et al. (2016:283) want to â€Å"informRead MoreThe Concep t Of Labeling Of Juvenile Delinquents By Members Of Their Society1733 Words   |  7 Pages5 DB 1 The Interactionist Approach We are beginning to see more than often, labeling of juvenile delinquents by members of their society. The term labeling theory explains how labeling tends to applied members of society, whether it is formally or informally, and the type of effect these labeling can have on juveniles and deterrence. Akers Sellers, (2009), Bernard, Snipes, Gerould, (2010), states that the labeling theorists assert that society creates deviance by creating laws, and they tendRead MoreFor the purpose of this research, the proposed theories that will be used are Agnew’s General600 Words   |  3 Pagesresearch, the proposed theories that will be used are Agnew’s General Strain Theory and Labeling Theory. Robert Agnew is one the most recognizable theorist in the criminal justice profession. General Strain Theory is influential very influential with explaining juvenile delinquency. Agnew’s Strain theory is not the main theory of this research but when examining juvenile delinquency as a whole and the beginning it gives an explanation for that not in social science. This theory is used as the basicRead MoreThe Juvenile Justice System Design A Program That Will Fit Into The Kids Lifestyle957 Words   |  4 Pagespolicy, the state act through a Juvenile Court Judge when a child is delinquent, abandoned or need parental care. Also â€Å"Parens patriae† occur if the natural parents are incompetent to control their children. In this case the juvenile justice system design a program that will fit into the kids lifestyle as should have been done by his or her natural parents. 2. What is the difference between delinquency and a status offense and give one example of each. Delinquency is a criminal behavior, which isRead MoreWhy People Commit The Crime Essay1538 Words   |  7 PagesCriminological theory is the explanation of criminal behavior, as well as the behavior of juveniles, attorneys, prosecutors, judges, correctional personnel, victims, and other actors in the criminal justice process. Criminological theory is important because most of what is done in criminal justice is based on criminological theory, whether we or the people who propose and implement policies based on the theory know it or not. In criminology, examining why people commit the crime is very importantRead MoreContributing Factors to Juvenile Delinquency1620 Words   |  7 PagesJuvenile delinquency, according to Agnew and Brezina, is the violation of the law by a minor which is any persons under the age of 18 in most states. There are many contributing factors to juvenile delinquency such as domestic issues or stress at school, and there are also four different theories, st rain, social learning, control, and labeling, to explain the different prospective of why it is thought that juveniles commence in delinquent behavior. This particular discussion however, is going toRead MoreLabeling Youths...and The Consequences Thereof1394 Words   |  6 Pagesthem and whether or not they become an outsider. Labeling youths is an unnecessary evil that often times changes children into criminals. To understand labeling we must first look at its definition. Labeling Theory is a theoretical approach to deviant behavior, basically stating that applying formal definitions to an individual results in a negative self-concept that may subsequently provide motivation for further acts of deviance. (Rush 203) Labeling became a popular perspective during the 1960sRead MoreGender Roles : The Juvenile Justice System1244 Words   |  5 PagesGender Roles in the Juvenile Justice System What role does gender play at the various stages of the juvenile justice system? Gender plays an enormous role in the juvenile justice system; both boys and girls have their fair share of run-ins with the Juvenile Justice System, but now more so than ever, females crime rates have increased. In some instances within the juvenile justice system, it may appear that boys and girls are comparable; however there are differences, even though they are subtle.

Essay on Feminism and Modern Feminist Theory - 1068 Words

Feminism is a body of social theory and political movement primarily based on and motivated by the experiences of women. While generally providing a critique of social relations, many proponents of feminism also focus on analyzing gender inequality and the promotion of womens rights, interests, and issues. Feminist theory aims to understand the nature of gender inequality and focuses on gender politics, power relations and sexuality. Feminist political activism campaigns on issues such as reproductive rights, domestic violence, maternity leave, equal pay, sexual harassment, discrimination and sexual violence. Themes explored in feminism include discrimination, stereotyping, objectification, sexual objectification, oppression and†¦show more content†¦Some find that the prioritization of oppression and the universalization of the idea of Woman, which was part of traditional Radical feminist thinking, too generic, and that women in other countries would never experience the same experience of being woman than women in Western countries did. Some radical feminists advocate separatism—a complete separation of male and female in society and culture—while others question not only the relationship between men and women, but the very meaning of man and woman as well. Some argue that gender roles, gender identity, and sexuality are themselves social constructs. For these feminists, feminism is a primary means to human liberation. Liberal feminism is a form of feminism that argues that equality for women can be achieved through legal means and social reform, and that men as a group need not be challenged. Liberal feminism is a somewhat conservative form of feminism by today’s standards, although it is rooted classically in liberalism. Liberal feminism leans towards an equality of sameness with men (not a difference feminism). Liberal feminism conceives of politics in individualistic terms and looks to reform present liberal practices in society, rather than advocating for a wholesale revolutionary change. Feminist writers associated with this tradition are amongst others Mary Wollstonecraft, John Stuart Mill and second wave feminist BettyShow MoreRelatedFeminism And Its Impact On Women1223 Words   |  5 Pages Feminism by definition is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. So feminism has a dictionary definition, but when it comes to feminists and feminism there are so many different personal definitions that people and groups hold. Feminism has been around for quite a while. There is evidence of women fighting for their equality for the past twenty-four centuries. If you’re looking for an actual date you might be out of luck. What can be said from The Oxford EnglishRead MoreFeminism Is Defined As The Theory Of Political, Economic,1011 Words   |  5 PagesFeminism is defined as the theory of political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. (Definition of Feminism) and also as the organized activity on behalf of women s rights and interests. (Definition of Feminism). If one would look in-depth into Feminism they would see that there are three waves of Feminism. Now not all types or waves of feminism is wrong, but third wave, or the most re cent, should not be supported, because they often tell myths that are just not true or usually use aRead MoreFeminist Theory And International Human Rights786 Words   |  4 Pagesinteraction of feminist theories and international human rights discourses as detailed in UN documents. The UN has advanced women’s rights by introducing a new human rights discourse, and by offering a place for interaction among women from different parts of the world. Women have used these opportunities from the UN to push several different feminist theoretical frameworks. The author examines the interaction of these various feminist. theories. She is drawing attention to the gap between theory and praxisRead MoreModern Day Feminism : The Fight For Equal Rights1589 Words   |  7 PagesModern-day Feminism The definition of feminism states â€Å"the belief that men and woman should have equal rights and opportunities† (â€Å"feminism†). Modern feminism is no longer about equality and is in fact counterproductive to the cause. The fight for equal rights has been transformed into a fight for privilege, waged against causes insignificant in the big picture of gender equality; causes like manspreading, cat calls, air conditioning, and representation in video games. We are waging a war in aRead MoreWomen s First Wave Of Feminism Essay1555 Words   |  7 PagesThe 1960’s first wave of feminism in literature brought about the importance of understanding and studying Women’s History, and the reasons behind origins of the Feminist theory and the feminist movement and gender binaries. Newfound research pertaining to female History helps us to better understand modern social constructs and how they were established. Starting with the late eighteenth century, which m arks the transition from pre-industrialization to the emergence of economic development in EuropeRead More Feminism Essay1662 Words   |  7 Pagesfirst feminist wave’, aimed to challenge the idea of women being the inferior sex and demanded equal rights. This ‘so called’ first wave ended with the ‘Royal Assent to the Representation of the People Parliament Act’ being passed in 1918, which granted women the ability to vote and recognised females as equal citizens (Fraisse, 1993). Following work will assay the position of women in today’s society and barriers that prevent gender equality. The focus will be on the conflict between feminist idealsRead MoreFeminism : The, Or Man Hating912 Words   |  4 Pagesthat you would probably receive from many people if you were to ask them about feminism. This is far from the true meaning of feminism. Feminism is about so much more than hating men, or even just mending the oppressions within a gender bin ary. My definition of feminist theory is looking at and analyzing a variety of different oppressions and maltreatments, particularly those within gender; furthermore, feminist theory focuses on how these oppressions come to be and how they influence society, withRead MoreFeminism : A Heavy Stigma Surrounding The Word `` Feminism `` Essay1275 Words   |  6 Pagesthe word â€Å"feminism†, saying it out loud evokes emotional responses from many people. During my conversations, I received many casual responses to feminism, or rather the traditional, â€Å"I believe in equality† response. I also received some negative responses from people that did not approve with modern day feminism, or believed that we had already achieved equality. And finally, I received some very strong — yet positive — responses to feminism, however, these people explained that feminism itself isRead MoreFeminism And The Postmodern Feminist Theory1596 Words   |  7 PagesThe evoluti on of feminist theory from a modern to a postmodern viewpoint stands to correct the injustices of historically liberal feminism. For some time, grand narratives have governed the ideas of self and gender from a single experience of â€Å"man†. Traditionally, modern feminism aimed to eradicate the hegemonic theory of inferiority by women to the male gender. Postmodern feminism aspires to eliminate categories of gender altogether, for the social construct of gender is considered to disregardRead MoreThe Definition Of Modern Day Feminism1116 Words   |  5 PagesDefinition of Modern Day Feminism â€Å"Feminist: a person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.† This is what Beyonce, one of the most famous and influential Women of Color in the past decade, claims in her 2014 VMA performance, with a large, shining backdrop of the word ‘feminist’ behind her. This quickly became one of the most direct and most widely-known displays of her feminist beliefs, and Beyonce is far from the only celebrity who has shown the modern world that

Social Media in Psychological Discourse-Free-Samples for Students

Question: Discuss about the Social Media in Psychological Discourse. Answer: The following paper is going to find out the basic change in the mode of using social media by the Singaporean youth. This paper succinctly elucidates while analyzing a case study on the tendency of youth population in Singapore while uploading pictures in several social media cites. According to a survey conducted by Singapore Polytechnic Diploma in Media and Communication, 89.1 % of the respondents agreed to the fact that they would not falsify or manipulate the information in the social media so that they look impressive to the world. However, survey has found that 94.2 % Singaporean social media users are practice caution and 42.7 % were fund to have edited their photos. Such practices evidently states that social media cites play a major role in determining the changes in human life- specifically the youths. Most of the social media users in the country were found to be females (Roese 2014). The theory of impression management has been linked with the discussion. Impression management is a process of consciousness or sub-consciousness that helps people influence or impact upon the perception of one about the other or the self. With effective social interaction the perception of a person is impacted upon (Pervin 2015). In order to analyze the psychological factors behind such activities, different other social psychological theories ought to be taken in to certain consideration. There are four different theirs encompassing the concept of social psychology. These are: Role Theory Reinforcement Theory Cognitive Theory Symbolic Interactionism Evolutionary Theory According to role theory of social psychology, human being behaves on the basis of social status. Since social status is a predetermined process of social allocation of human being, it always remains varied with different class structure. On the other hand, the reinforcement theory deals with the behavioral factor of an individual. The behavioral pattern is stringently associated with the social behavior of the individuals. As a matter of fact, this social orientation of human behavior adversely or positively impacts upon the psychological discourses of human being. Day to day practice is also devised through those behavioral interpretations. The other important theoretical acceptance has been cognitive theory. It asserts the mental activity. It somehow differs from the traits of reinforcement theory. While reinforcement theory focuses on observable behavior thus trying to comprehend the behavioral pattern of such, cognitive theory attempts to make sense of behaviors. According to co gnitive theory of social psychology, knowledge needs to be comprehended through the acceptance of basic sketch of what human being knows about her or his surroundings. In this case, identification of important and less important or not- so- important social components need to be absorbed and then contemplated thus finalizing the conclusion of the entire concept. This is how an individual starts behaving according to the changes or social patterns she or he witnesses in due course of time. The cognitive process is often organized. It helps an individual construct a schema of her or his perception. According to the report of the schema it has to be taken in to certain consideration pertaining to the basic understanding of the self presentation (Williams Harkins, 2017). The theory of self presentation can also be taken in to consideration. As a matter of fact, it also looks in to the matter of self reflection and self presentation to the world. Self reflection theory constitutes the t rait of influencing the others in order to gain reward. Erving Goffmans play The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life has succinctly talked about the behavioral structure of the individuals (Hollebeek, Glynn Brodie, 2014). . As a matter of fact, it also looks in to the process of self reflection whereby the individuals are highly concerned about the way they present themselves to the world. The theory was indeed propelled by Goffman who uses stern imagery with the firm usage of theatrical advancement and imageries. As a matter of fact, it also looks in to the fact how a human being wants to persuade the entire world with the activities and expressions (Nesi Prinstein, 2015). This theory can be discussed with the help of social behavior of human in virtual world i.e. the social media cites with special reference to two different countries. First- the essay would focus on the socio-psychological discourse in terms of Singaporean society in addition to the US society. According to Times, the usage of social media has been quite important in terms of creating a proper understanding pertaining to the effective changes. A survey made by the Times on US society succinctly states that the social media activities of most of the youths have become intoxicating since it has become a mirror for their daily life. Certain discourses have been taken into certain consideration. According to Time social media has become a toxic mirror of most of the youths in the United States. Psychologists have found, due to robust change in the mode of social structure, the US society has undoubtedly become quite cohesive. There is obvious cross cultural conflict that leads the brown and black youths in the US society to come up to the so called white status by editing the pictures. It has been quite prevalent among the brown population who deliberately try to look alike the white population. Such thrive to advance the social level and reject the concept of otherization has immensely affected the social structure where skin color has become one of the major factors to survive in the social media. As a matter of fact, this has also become one of the basic structures impacting greatly upon the social construction of the youths. The youths concern about the body image has become most important factor for making such change. Body image constitutes self objectification, body surveillance, drive to thinness and so on. As a matter of fact, this has become quite important in terms of making it as actual a cause as it has been stated. On the other hand Singaporean youths have been concerning about the same issues. In the Singaporean context, the issues related to the disclosure of the emotions have also been taken in to certain consideration. Scholars have observed that the relation between the online network structure and emotional disclosure structure the basic has been inseparable since the social media provides the users with a virtual stage where they can easily disclose how they keep feeling about the real world (Smith, 2015). As per the theory suggested by Goffman it needs to be specified how the facial expressions and interpretation focuses on the self proclamation of individuals. Freuds concept of Narcissism can also be taken in to consideration however; such practices evidently portray the fact that the users are more concerned about establishing the artificial identity to the world rather than making it spontaneous. According to Csibra and Gergely (2012), emotional sharing in Facbook is indeed self rewa rding that facilitates social interaction. Since this has become one of the major understanding of the basic factors. As a matter of fact, the most important feature of such case has been nothing more than self- proclamation of beauty and observation of artificial social acceptance References: Hollebeek, L. D., Glynn, M. S., Brodie, R. J. (2014). Consumer brand engagement in social media: Conceptualization, scale development and validation.Journal of interactive marketing,28(2), 149-165. McDougall, W., (2015).An introduction to social psychology. Psychology Press. Nesi, J., Prinstein, M. J. (2015). Using social media for social comparison and feedback-seeking: gender and popularity moderate associations with depressive symptoms.Journal of abnormal child psychology,43(8), 1427-1438. Parker, I., Shotter, J. (Eds.). (2015).Deconstructing social psychology(Vol. 21). Psychology Press. Pervin, L.A. ed., (2015).Goal concepts in personality and social psychology. Psychology Press. Roese, N.J., (2014).What might have been: The social psychology of counterfactual thinking. Psychology Press. Smith, E.R., Mackie, D.M. and Claypool, H.M., (2014).Social psychology. Psychology Press. Smith, J. A. (Ed.). (2015).Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. Sage. Smith, J.R. and Haslam, S.A. eds., (2017).Social psychology: Revisiting the classic studies. Sage. Williams, K. D., Harkins, S. G. (2017). The Future of Social Influence in Social Psychology.The Oxford Handbook of Social Influence, 433.

Omar Khadr How Has Public Opinion Influenced Public Policy Essay Example

Omar Khadr: How Has Public Opinion Influenced Public Policy? Essay POSC 3350 Public Opinion Omar Khadr: How has Public Opinion influenced Public Policy? Choose an issue- for example: gay rights, abortion, foreign policy , the death, penalty, taxes, and so on- and write a paper discussing the nature of the public opinion about this issue, and how/ why it may have changed over time. Alyson Kwan 200627230 Dr. Amanda Bittner November 18th 2010 The case of Omar Khadr has been a political hot potato since 2002. When captured by US forces in Afghanistan in July 2002 he was 15 years old. The last 8 years for Omar Khadr have been spent in captivity at the infamous Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, where he has endured interrogation, segregation and what many also believe to be torture. Today he is the only remaining western citizen or NATO ally still incarcerated. All others have returned to their countries of origin. While his story might be commonplace in some third world countries, it is one that has received much attention in Canada, for Omar Khadr is a Canadian citizen. His imprisonment has garnered worldwide criticism from human and legal rights groups. Although there has been much printed in the daily press, discussed in the media and in Parliament, the majority of Canadians have shown little passion for his plight or the potential ramifications on Canadian democracy. Angus Reid Public Opinion has done at least a dozen surveys over the past 4 years. All support the stance that Canadians have been consistently divided on the fate of Omar Khadr. Canadians have remained in one of two camps, right wing Conservatives versus left wing liberals : those who see Omar Khadr as a murdering jihadist and those who see him as a victim of the Afghanistan war. We will write a custom essay sample on Omar Khadr: How Has Public Opinion Influenced Public Policy? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Omar Khadr: How Has Public Opinion Influenced Public Policy? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Omar Khadr: How Has Public Opinion Influenced Public Policy? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The results of the surveys reflect public opinion and thus should be a significant independent influence over public policy. The reality in this case is that the divided polls have not provided solid direction to the government. Thus public policy has been stifled. This demonstrates that public opinion does have an effect on public policy. This paper will follow Angus Reid poll results from 2007 to present, highlighting the many opportunities Canadians have had to alter their opinions. Despite all, Canadians have chosen to remain true to their original convictions and the Canadian government remained unchanged. Russell Renka, in his paper â€Å"The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Public Opinion Polls† reminds readers that public opinion polls are everywhere today and cover a wide topic area from consumer acceptance to political popularity. They have become indispensable in deciding what toaster to purchase or in judging the success rate of each political party platform. They are constantly in the public’s view and most adults have been contacted by a pollster seeking an opinion. The trick is to be able to discern which polls supply credible information. Renka writes that a good poll must have three characteristics; one it must be worded clearly and without bias, second the sample subjects must be randomly selected and thirdly that the sampling error is ‘reasonably’ small. Along with these three golden rules, the details must be available for scrutiny. Renka also cautions that the primary polling source be reviewed rather that a reliance on media interpretation. (2010: 1-15) Angus Reid Public Opinion is a large Canadian company, well respected in its field. Its surveys incorporate Renka’s three characteristics of a good poll. The primary source surveys are readily available on their website. The results are often brought forward by the media for critique and follow up. Angus Reid has completed a dozen or more public opinion polls covering the past four years the Omar Khadr has been in the public light. They have followed the progression of public opinion on Omar Khadr’s incarceration and trial. All were conducted using online interviews with Canadian adults with the results statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the ntire adult population of Canada with margins of error of 3. 0 to 3. 1 percent. Which is a respectable margin of error, considering a reliable margin would be anything under 5 percent (2010:1-15). Angus Reid Strategies conducted a poll June 6 and 7, 2007. This was days after the charges of murder and terrorism against Khadr were dropped. At that time Khadr had been in Guantanamo for five yea rs. The poll of 1,081 adults reported â€Å"41 per cent of respondents think the Canadian government should actively intervene to secure his release from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, while 40 per cent disagree. 1 per cent of respondents think Omar Khadr should face justice in Afghanistan, where the alleged incident took place. Forty-seven per cent of respondents think he should be considered as a child soldier, and not as a war criminal. † (Angus Reid 2006). The position of the Liberal government was that as a Canadian citizen Khadr’s case should be actively pursued with the US government. The next poll was done February 27 and 28, 2008 with 1,047 respondents. The stance at the time of the three opposition parties was to push the Conservatives to protect Khadr’s rights, admitting that up until this time this had not been done. The results were very similar to those of June 2007 with 41 percent in agreement that the government pursue Khadr’s release and 41 percent against, with 18 percent unsure. (Angus Reid 2007 ) Shortly following was a poll of 1,015 Canadian adults, conducted on Apr. 16 and Apr. 17. The survey questions were on a different topic but what was of note was that there was no significant majority seen on these issues either. The results showed â€Å" 43 per cent of respondents demand Khadr’s repatriation to face due process under Canadian Law, while 38 per cent would leave Khadr to face trial by military commission in Guantanamo Bay† (Angus Reid 2008 ) Then came the famous video of July 2008. A change in opinion was expected and even hoped for as this would provide some direction to government and in particular support of those Canadians who saw Omar Khadr as a child soldier who would benefit from a return to Canada for rehabilitation. There were two surveys completed – one before the video release on July 3, and the second fter the release on July 19. The online survey allowed respondents to watch excerpts of the video released by Khadr’s lawyers on July 15. The video featured Omar Khadr being interrogated by Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) agents at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in February 2003. Surprising to some, the release of the video did not have any impact on the opinions of Canadians. â€Å"38 per cent of respondents want to leave Khadr to face trial by military commission in Guantanamo Bay, while 38 per cent would repatriate him to face due process under Canadian Law† (Angus Reid 2008). Another potentially damning situation had brought forward earlier that month advising the public that Canadian government officials were aware of the ‘harsh treatment’ within the Detention Camp. Even with this information there was no added pressure for government action to interfere in the military commission. The polls supported Prime Minister Harper’s response that there would not be a policy change. Mike Canseco, director of Global Studies at Angus Reid Strategies suggested that respondents had already made up their mind prior to the viewing. â€Å"Harper’s support of the trials appears to have the backing of his party’s voters. Assessed by political allegiance, the poll indicates that Canadians who said they would vote Conservative in the next election want Khadr to stay in Guantanamo (62 per cent) and feel no sympathy for him (63 per cent). † The right- wing conservatives remain committed to their opinions . (Shephard, 2008) Later in November 2008, a survey with 1,002 Canadian adults, conducted on November 14 to November 15, 2008. The results were â€Å"42 per cent of respondents would demand Khadr’s repatriation to face due process under Canadian Law, while 37 per cent would leave Khadr to face trial by military commission in Guantanamo Bay. (Angus Reid 2008) The data was slightly different than that reported in July of 2008 and April 2008 but overall a similar trend. The response of the Canadian government was on November 20, when Canadian foreign affairs minister Lawrence Cannon appeared to rule out any change in policy, saying, He is being held and it’s our government’s inte ntion to follow and respect the process that’s in place and, of course, to respect American sovereignty on this issue. (Angus Reid , 2008) January 6 and January 7, 2009, 1,003 Canadian adults, were surveyed. The data continued to be very similar to past responses with â€Å"40 per cent of respondents would demand Omar Khadr’s repatriation to face due process under Canadian Law, while 38 per cent would leave Khadr to face trial by military commission in Guantanamo Bay. In the event U. S. president-elect Barack Obama decides to shut down the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, 47 per cent of respondents voice support for repatriating Khadr, while 38 per cent would transfer him to the United States to face federal prosecution there. † (Angus Reid, Jan. 009) Citizen’s opinions are also heard outside of surveys. On January 11, 2009 Canadian senator and former United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) commander Romeo Dallaire called on the incoming American president to offer up Khadr to the Canadian government, adding, We’re actually going to give credence to those who want to continue to use child soldiers if we leave Omar Khadr in that inappropriate pr ocess at Guantanamo Bay. (Angus Reid, 2009) Romeo Dallaire has for some time been a champion of the child soldier. In his new book, They fight like soldiers, they die like children, Dallaire comments about the Canadian government inaction with reference to the fact that as one of the drafters and first signatories of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of a Child, Canada has chosen not to follow up on this commitment, stating that while the convention has been ratified it is not yet legislation. Dallaire suggests this lack of commitment to the convention has â€Å"kept Omar Khadr in the illegal jail at Guantanamo for more than seven years without lifting a finger to repatriate him. (2010:181) Dallaire’s comment is more in line with a left-wing liberal perspective. The child soldier scenario has had little impact on the public opinion. It appears asthough the public has chosen to remember the horror of young Omars bracelet of hands rather than the interrogation video. From August 27 to August 28, 2009, Angus Reid Strategies conducted an online survey among 1,006 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. 2% would repatriate Khadr to face due process in Canada; 40% would leave him in Guantanamo; 41% agree with the federal government’s decision to challenge lower court rulings on Khadr case; 40% disagree, 40% think Khadr would get a fair trial in Guantanamo; 45% disagree, 38% feel sympathy for Khadr’s plight; 52% do not. Since November 2008, Canadians have been almost evenly split when assessing these two policy options. Earlier this year, two courts called for Khadr’s repatriation. Buoyed by the split polls the federal government indicated it would challenge their decision before the Supreme Court of Canada. Angus Reid 2009) The opinions of Canadians did not change in the next poll, February 1 and February 2, 2010 with data from 1,001 Canadian adults. With very similar data to the January and August polls of 2009 with the February 2010 poll reported â€Å"40 per cent of respondents would leave Khadr to face trial by military commission in Guantanamo Bay, while 40 per cent would demand his repatriation to face due process under Canadian law†(Angus Reid, 2010). There was no change despite the development of January 29, 2010 when the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government cannot be required to send home Khadr. However the Court found that Canada and the U. S. have violated Khadr’s right to life, liberty and security under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. (Angus Reid 2010) A change in opinion was finally noted in the May 7 to May 8, 2010 survey of 1,005 Canadian adults. The data reported â€Å"46 per cent of respondents say Khadr should be left to face trial by military commission in Guantanamo Bay. Just over a third of Canadians (36%) think that the government should demand Khadr’s repatriation and allow him to be tried in Canada. Since February, the proportion of respondents who believed Khadr should be left to face trial by military commission in Guantanamo Bay had increased by six points. Though many respondents did not have difficulty with having Khadr face justice in the form of a military commission at Guantanamo, a large proportion of Canadians (42%) thought he would not get a fair trial there. Over a third of Canadians (37%) expressed sympathy for Khadr, but half did not. In the February poll, 33 per cent of Canadians had said they sympathized with Khadr’s situation, another shift in opinion. Almost half of Canadians (49%) agreed with the Supreme Court ruling, while 26 per cent disagreed. These results were similar to February 2010 data. † (Angus Reid 2010) The July 12 and 13, 2010 poll of 1,003 Canadian adults detailed that Canadians continued to remain divided on how to manage Omar Khadr’s case. â€Å"43 per cent of respondents said Omar Khadr should be left to face trial by military commission in Guantanamo, down three points since May. Conversely, 36 per cent of respondents thought Canada should demand Khadr’s repatriation to face due process under Canadian law. http://www. angus-reid. com/polls/39282/canadians_remain_split_on_guantanamo_inmate/ The pressure on Harper’s government was increasing with the mandate from the Federal Court of Canada giving the government one week to ensure that Khadr’s constitutional rights to a fair trial were defended. In reply, the government reported that it would appeal the Federal Court’s rul ing citing a conflict with the Crown right to influence foreign affairs. (Angus Reid 2010) The government has maintained its direction while Canadians have maintained their opinions. But in the last poll of October 25 and 26, 2010 1,016 Canadians reported their unhappiness with the government’s management of Omar Khadr’s case. While Omar Khadr pled guilty, 48 per cent think that Khadr did so because it is in his best interests. Only 27 per cent of Canadians thought Khadr entered a guilty plea because he in fact committed the acts that he was accused of. Overall, Canadians continue their even divide, with 30 per cent reporting the process was fair, and 26 per cent unfair. A large proportion of respondents (44%) were undecided in this poll. Canadians were in agreement however with 38 per cent reporting their dissatisfaction with the way the Canadian federal government, and 39 percent U. S. government managed the case and close to 36 percent also found fault with the Department of Foreign Affairs and 33 percent faulted the opposition parties in the House of Commons. (Angus Reid 2010) Canadians, as demonstrated in the Angus Reid polls, have remained consistently divided on the Omar Khadr case despite the unending media reports, blog conversations, legal representations and protestations. The question arises as to why in this case have the opinions not changed as new information has been presented. A quick review of the political blogs following the Omar Khadr case reveals some very passionate responses to the changing scenarios faced by Mr. Khadr and the government. While these blogs cannot be considered as academic sources they do provide a window to view public opinion. There appears to be two common perspectives on the issues brought forward in response to the poll questions, those of right-wing conservatives and those of left-wing liberals. Steven Taylor, a political commentator and policy analyst describes his view as a cold, logical conservative, â€Å"I have always believed that right-wingers act on what they know to be true, whereas left-wingers act on what they feel to be true. † (Taylor 2008) Taylor suggests that a conservative review of the case using a ‘logical lens’ would include three facts: Omar Khadr is alleged to have thrown the grenade. He is a Canadian citizen. All persons in custody have a right to the due process of law. His solution would be that Khadr face American justice in an American court, not a court in Guantanamo Bay. This would support our basic presumptions of innocence until proven otherwise, due process and the rule of law. Taylor compares this position to the liberal view, which supports civil and political freedoms pointing out that it was during the liberal reign that Khadr was captured, interrogated and held. Given this fact there is an inconsistency with their current demand for Khadr’s return to Canada. Canada’s current policy concludes that any Canadian citizen found breaking US law, are tried for their crime on US soil, then a transfer to Canada is negotiated. Taylor 2008) Angus Reid Public Opinion has provided much recent information on the public opinion on the Omar Khadr case. A review of the polls completed over the past four years has clearly shown Canadians are evenly split in their beliefs regardless of the survey questions asked. The data suggests that there are two distinct schools of thought, those who are aligned with right wing Conservative principles as oppos ed to those with left wing Liberal values. Despite media coverage, that on occasion has contained graphic detail, the public’s opinion has not changed. Public opinion and public policy are connected when the public’s preferences are incorporated into policy. However the public must be clear in it’s response in order to affect change in policy. In the Omar Khdar case the public reply has been divided, and a status quo policy has prevailed with the ruling Conservatives continuing according to their party ideals. This demonstrates that public opinion does have an effect on public policy. Bibliography : Canadians Divided on Omar Khadr’s Fate. Angus Reid Public Opinion. Angus Reid , 25 April 2008. Web. 1 Nov 2010. . Canadians Divided on Omar Khadr’s Fate. Angus Reid Public Opinion. Angus Reid , 25 April 2008. Web. 1 Nov 2010. .. Angus Reid Public Opinion. Angus Reid, 14 March 2008. Web. 1 Nov 2010. . Canadians Evenly Divided on How to Deal with Omar Khadr. Angus Reid Public Opinion. Angus Reid, 02 Sept 2009. Web. 1 Nov 2010. Canadians Ponder Repatriation of Omar Khadr. Angus Reid Public Opinion. Angus Reid , 23 Nov 2008. Web. 1 Nov 2010. Canadians Remain Split on Guantanamo Inmate. Angus Reid Public Opinion. Angus Reid, 16 Jul 2010. Web. 1 Nov 2010. . Canadians Split Over Guantanamo Detainee. Angus Reid Public Opinion. Angus Reid, 12 June 2007. Web. 1 Nov 2010. Canada Split on Khadr After Interrogation Video. Angus Reid Opinion. Angus Reid, 23 July 2008. Web. 1 Nov 2010. Canadians Still Split on Omar Khadr’s Trial. Angus Reid Public Opinion. Angus Reid, 15 Jan 2009. Web. 1 Nov 2010. Dallaire, Romeo. 2010. They fight like soldiers, they die like children: the global quest to eradicate the use of child soldiers. Toronto: Random House of Canada Limited. Half of Canadians Think Khadr’s Guilty Plea Was a Strategic Decision. Angus Reid Public Opinion. Angus Reid, 28 Oct 2010. Web. 1 Nov 2010. . More Canadians Say Omar Khadr Should Face Trial in Guantanamo. Angus Reid Public Opinion. Angus Reid, 13 May 2010. Web. 1 Nov 2010. . Omar Khadr Case Still Divides Views in Canada. Angus Reid Public Opinion. Angus Reid, 04 Feb 2010. Web. 1 Nov 2010. Renka, R. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Public Opinion Polls. Southeast Missouri State University(2010): n. pag. Web. 1 Nov 2010. . Shephard, Michelle. Facts and fallacies of Omar Khadr case. Star 18 Jul 2008: n. pag. Web. 1 Nov 2010. . Shephard, Michelle. Interrogation video fails to sway support to Khadr, poll finds. Star 22 Jul 2008: n. pag. Web. 1 Nov 2010. . Taylor, Stephen. Omar Khar: try him, but not here. Stephen Taylor Blog (2008): n. pag. Web. 1 Nov 2010. .