Recently, there has been a growing concern about juvenile delinquency. Some people argue that young offenders should face the same penalties as adults. In my opinion, I partially agree with this stance because young offenders should be given opportunities to reform.
On one hand, teenagers are not yet mature enough to fully comprehend their wrongful actions. Research consistently shows that the brains of young individuals are still developing, particularly in areas related to decision-making and self-control. As a result, teenagers often act impulsively, especially when overwhelmed by emotions like anger, and struggle to exercise self-restraint, leading to unlawful behavior. For example, a criminal incident occurred on January 13, 2010, in France. During that time, two children became frustrated when their mother woke them up too early. This led to a heated argument, and in a moment of rage, one of the children, Jas, grabbed a knife and attacked their mother.
On the other hand, it is vital to impose comparable punishments on juvenile offenders as those on adults. This can serve as a deterrent to their peers who may be tempted to engage in criminal activities. Such consequences raise awareness among young individuals about the gravity of criminal actions, dissuading them from getting involved in unlawful activities. Additionally, adolescents are highly influenced by their environments. When placed in prison alongside adult criminals, they may be exposed to and learn violent behaviors, posing a threat to society as they may reoffend upon release.
In conclusion, I do not believe that young offenders should face harsh punishments akin to those imposed on adults, as it can hinder their chances of reintegration into society and leading a better life. However, governments should enforce strict penalties on juvenile offenders to prevent them from jeopardizing public safety.