In many parts of the world children and teenagers are committing more crimes. Why is this happening? How should children or teenagers be punished?


There are increasingly numbers of youngsters being arrested and detained for their law-breaking behaviors. The reason mainly falls into three categories, which are related to individual, family and social factors. Proper punishment as well as rehabilitation should be carried out as a deterrent to such juvenile delinquencies.

Individually, some teenagers should be responsible for their own unlawful actions. Some teenagers are born with aggressive personalities, which make them easier to fall prey to fighting or even murder. Some others commit crimes simply because of their curiosity or adventurous nature. Substance abuse or drunk-driving serve as vivid illustration in this regard.

Some juvenile delinquencies are committed due to family issues. In modern society, the amount of malfunction families, featuring divorce and single parent, is on the rise. Living in such families, children are more likely to suffer from a range of mental disorders such as depression, self-inferiority and introversion. In some extreme cases, their psychological issues can easily trigger criminal offenses.

Last but not least, social problems may incur offenses done by youngsters. Among the problems is poverty, lack of education, etc. In some parts of the world, for example, children could not afford schooling because of extreme poverty. Lacking the necessary moral guidance and the law education, such youngsters are more likely to commit crimes.

Considering the severity of young children committing crimes, proper punishment is needed to correct their behaviors. Short jail terms and fines are suggested to prevent youngsters from committing crimes. What they also need is treatment that helps them recover and function better in the society. Rehabilitation, through counseling and education, can equip the youngsters with knowledge and skills, which help them stand on their feet and prevent committing crimes again.