The constitution says that all people have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Yet this basic right is being taken away from many of today’s youth because there has been concern over the youth crime rate in America. Cities, in an attempt to decrease the escalating crime rate, have implemented teen curfew laws. This means that any people under the age of eighteen are required to stay indoors throughout the night. Now, teenagers are essentially being penalized based almost entirely on statistics. However, history has shown statistics can easily be skewed in one direction or another, depending on the desired outcome. a study by Gallup Polls in 1994 shows that “the average adult believes juveniles commit 43% of violent crime, when the actual figure is just 13%” (Cobey) Since inception of the curfew, there has been little, if any, impact on the rate of teenage crime. While it is true that the rate of teen crime has been on the rise for years, the same can be said of the adult crime rate. Teen curfews have little effect on the juvenile crime rates and therefore should be removed.
My mother has taught in several Gwinnett County schools, from elementary to high school. She has more than a bit of insight on this issue. It appears that, today, many teenagers see jail time as a rite of passage. One of her recent classes had only one student who was not yet ‘in the system’ as she calls it. The students were proud to say they had been arrested. In impoverished neighborhoods, parents have to work a lot more. The lack of supervision can cause problems for teenagers. If this leaves children feeling neglected, the easy solution is to cause trouble to get attention. In many cases, they turn to gangs. Every year new gangs are created, while other gangs get stronger. The neglected teenagers look to the gangs for acceptance. Also areas where the poverty rate is high, teenagers look for cheap ways to entertain themselves. Some teenagers turn to criminal means for amusement. They may steal, join gangs, or tag walls with spray-paint.
The Essay on Teen-curfew Laws
Over the past several years, concern about juvenile crime and teenager’s safety has led many U.S. cities to enact teen-curfew laws. I strongly disagree that a youth curfew is an effective way to reduce juvenile crime in a community. According to document one, some teens resent curfews and feel that it is unconstitutional. Parents and teens argue that the laws violate minor’s freedom ...
Some may argue this proves the need for teen curfews but, but crimes committed by teenagers are usually committed afterschool, or between three and eight. This is when the parents are not home to keep an eye on their teenagers. A curfew would have no effect on this. To stop crimes from happening, community programs should be used in problem areas. Many urban areas have structured academic and recreational programming during the summer months, a more extensive summer job corps, mentoring programs, arts internships, and updated, safe recreational facilities,” (Bedi).
These programs are infinitely more successful than curfews because they give teenagers something to do. The programs are done in the hours when parents are not home, which gives teenagers adult supervision.
Because the problems are most prevalent in poor areas, the programs should be free. They should have people register for the program though, so the group leaders know who to expect every day. That way if someone doesn’t show up the parent could be notified. Some people say communities don’t have the money for this. However if cities stopped spending money on curfews they would have plenty of money for community programs. The programs would help immensely in the afternoons, but some teenagers just like to stay up late. It’s a natural part of being a teenager. Some towns have, instead of a curfew, designated certain recreational centers to stay open late so teenagers have something safe to do. In towns that do this, there was a reduction in teen crime rates unlike in areas with curfews. Since staying up late is natural for a teenager, this would be a great way to reduce crime without restricting the rights of teenagers.
The Essay on Teen Curfew Teenagers Crime Adults
Teen Curfew In San Diego County, and in many other counties across the country, teenagers are forced to be indoors after ten p. m. Should there be a teen curfew This idea is ridiculous. There is no legitimate reason for there to bea curfew. The proponents of a teen curfew say that a curfew would bring the crime rate down during those hours that teenagers are not allowed to been the street. This ...
Another issue is with police officers. Officers often discriminate against minorities. In one court case concerning teen curfews, “Burger told the court that 94 percent of the 709 youths picked up on curfew violations were black or Hispanic, according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.,”().
While curfews remain in place, officers see teenagers out after curfew as criminals. Often this causes an increase in crime rates. Curfews weren’t meant to increase crime rates, but in these cases they often do. The increase is due to the tension between cops and teenagers. Since cops see curfew breakers as criminals, some teenagers decide there is no reason not to be one.
“A curfew won’t and hasn’t worked. …in 1995 the National Council on Crime and Delinquency found that curfew enforcement is ineffective at reducing crime and unnecessarily funnels large numbers of non-delinquent youth into a criminal justice system that is already inundated with alleged offenders.”( Bedi)
Once a teenager is prosecuted as a criminal they begin see themselves that way and are more likely to continue to commit future crimes. A criminal conviction can make it difficult to find jobs as well, even though it is just a curfew violation.
Curfews are also difficult to maintain. The laws surrounding them are confusing, making it easier to avoid getting caught. The teenagers who are planning on doing something wrong are going to have a whole host of excuses to pull from if stopped by a cop. This can result in cops targeting certain types of people unfairly which reinforces why curfews aren’t effective. Curfew laws don’t affect teenagers going to or from recreational activities such as a dance or a football game.
“The ordinance carves out exceptions for youth who are with their parents or have a reasonable necessity to be out past the curfew. The critical language in the statute is open to many interpretations. Who decides what a ‘reasonable necessity’ is? Courts frown on laws that give such little interpretative guidance and such unfettered discretion to law enforcement.” ( Bedi)
The Essay on Curfew Laws: Helpful or Harmful?
Curfew laws are being carefully examined right now. Some adults believe that they are necessary and that they help curb adolescent crime. Others believe that they violate rights and don’t really solve the problem at all. To look at this issue more closely, there are two articles, one in support of curfew laws, and one against it. The first article is by David Knight, who is in support of curfew ...
The law says they must be with a responsible adult, but as long as their over eighteen it’s okay because “responsible” is so vague. The “adult” could simply be a friend who happens to be a few months older. While this may fit the letter of the law, it does NOT enforce the spirit of the law. The effect is that teenagers travel in larger groups, so they are legal, but the larger the group, the greater the incidence of ‘mob’ mentality which is the catalyst for any number of crimes.
Curfews are not an effective way of reducing crime rates and should be removed. They restrict the right of a teenager and alter their opinions of the law. “Jackson is currently treating all youth, even innocent youth, like criminals,” (Bedi).
The laws of curfew are vague often and can be easily avoided. Not to mention, the discrimination curfews cause. Whether intentional or not, curfews target minorities. Youth crime rates need to be reduced, but not by a curfew.
Works Cited
Bedi, Shelia. “Jackson Free Press – Columns – [Your Turn] Youth Curfew A Bad Idea.” Jackson Free Press. 2 Aug. 2006. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. .
Cobey, Margret B. Teenage Curfew Laws: Beneficial or Detrimental? MS. Virginia Western Community College. No Child Left Outside. Web. 30 Mar. 2010. .
Wagner, Matt. “Youth Today – Teen Curfew Laws Challenged.” Youth Today – Home. 30 Apr. 2009. Web. 30 Mar. 2010. .
