Although it is obvious that the world we live in is far from perfect, at times, certain figures and statistics can just be plain startling. The growing crime rate in the country is one of these statistics. It seems as time goes on, more and more crime is developing, especially juvenile crime. From 1984 to 1994, the juvenile homicide arrest rate almost tripled. On top of that, the number of gun homicides committed by juveniles quadrupled during those years also. These statistics bring us to a certain point where something must be done to decrease juvenile crime and keep teenagers safe. In our community, instating a youth curfew would be an effective way to take care of both these tasks.
Whether believed or not, currently 146 out of 200 large cities such as Chicago, Illinois and Phoenix, Arizona now enforce teen curfews. Supporters of teen-curfew laws such as President Clinton, Congress members and many law-enforcement officials believe that they are “effective crime fighting tools”. Declining crime rates in these 146 cities solidly back up supporters and are proof that teen-curfews would be a positive addition to any community. Not only will crime rates decline due to teen-curfews, but so will the amount of juveniles murdered. Sadly, according to the National Center for Juvenile Justice, the amount of teens murdered in 1994 was almost 50% greater than the number murdered in 1984. The instatement of teen-curfew laws can help decrease these numbers, and keep teens safer. That’s why I strongly agree with teen curfew laws being enforced in all states.
The Term Paper on Crime and Juvenile Justice Alternative
Section 1 During the Spring 2013 semester, I was granted the opportunity to intern at Denton County Juvenile Probation. This institution is responsible for delinquent juveniles that have committed a criminal act. The institution consists of several departments: intake, the court, detention, the POST adjudication program, and JJAEP (Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program). My intern ...
Aside from all observed statistics, there is more basic and simple evidence that teen curfews would have a positive effect on any community. Many parents today work more than one job, and struggle to support their family. Within their busy days, a good amount of parents find little or no time to oversee their children or keep them safe at home. These “overburdened” parents would find some help and comfort about their children’s safety with the instatement of teen-curfew laws. It is plain to see that in any community, teens would be protected by these laws, especially teens who are neglected by their parents daily. According to a crime consultant in Portland, Oregon, “Curfew laws are one of the most dependable, least intrusive methods to identify and help children from neglectful and chaotic families.”
The population is sporadically growing in the country, especially the population of teens. By 2010, the overall teenage population is expected to increase to 74 million. It would be simply ignorant to not realize with this vast and immense growth in teen population, that there will be a growth in crimes where teens are the victims and where teens are the cause of the felony. According to John DiJulio Jr., a leading crime expert and director of the Brookings Institution’s Center for Public Management in Washington, D.C. “Americans are sitting on a demographic time-bomb. The large population of 7-10 year old boys growing up fatherless, Godless and jobless–and surrounded by deviant, delinquent and criminal adults will give rise to a new and more vicious group of predatory street criminals than the nation has ever known.” This “demographic time-bomb” on which we sit upon can be defused, and teen curfews can help us do that one community at a time.
Despite all their positive effects, teen-curfew laws still are detested by parents and teens who claim them to be unconstitutional. For example, in 1999 in Charlottesville, Virginia parents and teens challenged the city’s curfew claiming it “infringed” on the teens basic freedoms. The U.S. Supreme Court however made the logical decision, and declined to rule on the case. In May 1996, on the subject of infringing teen liberties, President Clinton response was “I’m sure that a lot of teenagers think this is too strict, but they must also know that it’s a dangerous world out there and these rules are being set by people who love them.” A small sacrifice of freedom is worth the greatly increased safety and declined crime rates that teen curfews bring. Teen curfew laws can improve our communities in many ways. They are proof that the government does have a true concern for the safety and future of its people. It is always said that the youth of today is the future; we must assure a safe future for our community while we still can, and teen curfews are the way to do this.
The Essay on Teen Curfew Parents Children Law
ESSAY 1 The Opposition of Teen Curfew A teen curfew law was recently passed in the District of Columbia. This was a needed law to alleviate crime teenagers fall victim of. Minors under the age of 17 should be in their home at a very reasonable hour so they will be energetic, fresh and alert when attending school. I am convinced that the more freedom teenagers have the more opportunity they have to ...
