Should Juvenile Delinquents Be Treated Like Adult Criminals?

One of the arguments of organizations who are against juvenile courts is that although there are lots of programs that are implemented in order to handle cases of juveniles through juvenile courts, most of these programs are actually ineffective. There are several reasons why. First, most of the programs are handled through private entities. These are really expensive treatment and rehabilitation facilities. Secondly, the government detention programs are not also fully equipped with the right programs that would offer rehabilitation. There are lots of juvenile court programs that are not able to curtail recidivism because of lack of effective monitoring and resources that would help the juvenile court achieve its goals.

Delinquent activities is not really a normal process of growing up but it is most of the time an impact of the different kind of peer pressure that young people experiences. Young people have different experiences of puberty and adolescence and this experience is in part influenced through the support systems that surround young people. Most of the time, if the family or other support systems would not be able to provide effective support system in terms of development of self-image; young people acquire affirmation through peers and other groups. In their wish to feel that they “belong” to a group they commit deviant behaviors. This means that in general, it is not really a normal process, but rather an impact of the difficulty of the family structures to support young people at this important stage of development towards adulthood.

The juvenile court is still the best place through which juvenile cases are resolved. If there is a need for the criminal court to handle the child’s case, there should be a careful review of the case. No matter how much analysts would argue that the kinds of crimes are changing, this is insufficient argument to abolish the juvenile court. There is a need to consider those children’s circumstances today has changed as well. Society’s family values and the falling of traditional family structure are also creating problems. Programs of the juvenile court could still help in preventive measures that would help juvenile offenders to change and alter their deviant behaviors.