What does it mean when we say "at-risk"?
The phase "at risk youth" usually refers to an adolescent who struggles with moderate to severe emotional and behavioural disturbances, which can ultimately lead them into habits which threaten their future and development such as violence, crime and substance abuse.
The term "at risk" can cover a wide range of individuals at various levels of risk. It may be defined on the basis of certain demographic factors (for example poverty, single parents, etc), skill level (for example education or employment skills), or a combination of both types of factors.
Generally we include within the high risk group, young people who are, or easily could be, involved in:
The term "at risk" can cover a wide range of individuals at various levels of risk. It may be defined on the basis of certain demographic factors (for example poverty, single parents, etc), skill level (for example education or employment skills), or a combination of both types of factors.
Generally we include within the high risk group, young people who are, or easily could be, involved in:
- Offences that are illegal because of the perpetrators young age, such as consumption of alcohol, smoking tobacco, truancy or running away from home.
- Street gang affiliation or activities
- Crimes including smoking marijuana, assault, theft and other forms of aggravated behaviour
- Are under Court supervision, in custody, or otherwise involved in the judicial system.
Characteristics of a high risk home environment
No single environment characterises all high risk young people. However, formal studies and anecdotal observations strongly suggest that a high risk young person probably lives in an environment with many of the following characteristics:
1. Middle class and rich kids behave badly too but high risk young people are more likely to be from poorer families. Poverty is a pervasive presence.
2. Transitory family unit or physical environment. The term 'stay' is commonly used rather than 'live' suggesting a series of short term arrangements.
3. Being a young mum is not necessarily a risk factor but many at risk young people have mothers who are young and/or
unmarried.
4. An experience of abuse is common. The experience may be as an observer or a victim and it may be emotional or physical, or both.
5. Drugs are a way of life. Generally considered to be a symptom rather than a cause, drugs are often a coping strategy learned from family members or other influential adults.
6. Poor school attendance, poor grades and truancy are common issues. Poor performance at school often leads to
embarrassment and truancy, which often ends in the young person dropping out of school.
7. Peer groups with equally bad or worse behaviour. Young people, like all humans, look for others with whom they have a
common experience in order to feel a sense of belonging. Peer groups are, like drugs, usually symptomatic rather than causal.
1. Middle class and rich kids behave badly too but high risk young people are more likely to be from poorer families. Poverty is a pervasive presence.
2. Transitory family unit or physical environment. The term 'stay' is commonly used rather than 'live' suggesting a series of short term arrangements.
3. Being a young mum is not necessarily a risk factor but many at risk young people have mothers who are young and/or
unmarried.
4. An experience of abuse is common. The experience may be as an observer or a victim and it may be emotional or physical, or both.
5. Drugs are a way of life. Generally considered to be a symptom rather than a cause, drugs are often a coping strategy learned from family members or other influential adults.
6. Poor school attendance, poor grades and truancy are common issues. Poor performance at school often leads to
embarrassment and truancy, which often ends in the young person dropping out of school.
7. Peer groups with equally bad or worse behaviour. Young people, like all humans, look for others with whom they have a
common experience in order to feel a sense of belonging. Peer groups are, like drugs, usually symptomatic rather than causal.
