The Criminalization of Boys in Today's Schools

Harry Kopyto speaks on the grave conditions being faced by children, particularly boys, in a society that is criminalizing them. 
March 1, 2014 in Newmarket, Ontario.
Event hosted by the Canadian Maltese Charitable Service Trust

Boys are disproportionately more likely to be expulsed, suspended and criminalized in today's schools. Harry Kopyto, who worked at Ontario Legal Aid and who as a lawyer representing hundreds of children, comments on the flaws of "zero tolerance" policies in our school where one mistake can land a child in jail, and how we need to reconfigure society's attitude to gender and in particular the perception that boys are all potential criminals.

Recently, a boy, barely 12 years old, was charged criminally for non criminal behaviour at Notre Dame Catholic School in Newmarket. In Colorado Springs, 6 year old Hunter Yelton was suspended from school for kissing his girlfriend's hand. The action was noted as sexual harassment on Hunter's school record.

About Harry Kopyto

Kopyto delivered his first speech at the age of ten. He began advocating for the rights of his fellow students in High School. Kopyto's legal career spans 40 years advocating for the rights of his fellow man, adhering according to his admirers to strict morals and principals. Harry remains steadfast in his life long ambition to advocate and fight for the underdog, the weak, the oppressed, the old, children, the disabled, the minority, the underprivileged, the poor and anyone who was subject to discrimination in any and every way.