In recent years, there has been a growing concern about juvenile delinquency. As a result, some individuals argue that young offenders should be punished similarly to adults. In my opinion, I partly agree with this view because children should be given the opportunity to reform.
On one hand, teenagers may not fully comprehend the gravity of their actions, and ongoing research reveals that the brains of young individuals are not yet fully developed, especially in areas related to decision-making and self-control. Consequently, they may act impulsively, particularly when angered, and struggle to regulate themselves, leading to unlawful behavior. For instance, a criminal case occurred on January 13, 2010, in France. At that time, two discontented children, annoyed by their mother waking them up too early, engaged in a quarrel with her. In a fit of rage, Jas grabbed a knife and attacked his mother.
On the other hand, juvenile offenders should be punished in the same manner as adults, as this could serve as a deterrent for their peers who might be inclined towards criminal activities. In other words, it helps younger individuals gain a clearer awareness of the consequences of criminal behavior and discourages any inclination towards criminal activities. Moreover, teenagers are susceptible to the influence of their surrounding environment. By being imprisoned with adult criminals, they often learn violent behaviors, posing a danger to society as they may reoffend upon release.
In conclusion, I also disagree that young offenders should be strictly punished like adults because they may find it challenging to reform themselves and reintegrate into society. Nevertheless, the government should impose severe penalties on juvenile offenders to prevent them from posing a threat to society.