When we see the numerous risks that young people face on the street or cause for others, one can forget that the so called « at risk » behaviour are displays of deeper lying issues. While the ideal of individual auto-realization values certain forms of at risk behaviour, one can also discern the existence in our societies an obsession with safety that targets at risk populations. Based on a survey conducted in Montreal with street youth, this article aims to clarify the difference between the meaning attributed by youth to marginality and normality and the political tendency to favour epidemiological and safety oriented approaches toward these populations. It concludes with an analysis of the effects of these approaches in relation to the recognition on the youth street exit process.