Should Youth Curfew Laws Be Implemented and Used?

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Recommended: Restrictions do curfew keep teens out of trouble

Youth curfew laws are intended to protect teens from getting into trouble and being harmed by forcing adolescents to stay off the streets after a certain hour, but do they take away rights from teens at the same time? Youth curfew laws have been implemented across counties in the United States. One curfew law in Philadelphia (“American”) limits the times youth can be out varying by age and time from 8pm to 11pm. Mayor Nutter of Philadelphia reasons, “…which will help keep safe our citizens, especially our young people,” when speaking about the ordinance. Fines for violations of the curfew law include a $500 fine against the parent(s). Just like with all laws, people have been for and against curfew laws. These laws have been passed to control teen criminal activity, safety. Some argue that curfew laws take away rights from young people, while others say they cause issues with crime records by charging youth with breaking laws that have no criminal activities other than being out late. Others argue that curfew laws force teens to bond with their families, cause them to stay away from drugs and alcohol, reduce teen pregnancies, and over-all reduce crime rates.

When the government tells people where they can and can’t be it brings into question civilian rights, and here in the United States more particularly, constitutional rights. In instances when a youth is out of home while a curfew law is in place, (s)he can be charged with a citation, that comes with a heavy fine. The problem with curfew laws is that they do not define the circumstances that allow a youth to be out of the home, rather, they ban all activities and circumstances after the hours defined by the law. “There are countless instances in which fairness and justice dic...

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...rights from children? You decide.

In conclusion, curfew laws are attempts to force young adults to follow laws by taking away their ability to be out of the home after set hours. They are intended to keep teens from being endangered and reduce crimes. However, they take away rights from teens, create needless criminal records for crimes that are pointless, and are not effective. There is a reason these ordinances are being struck down one after the other. Should curfew laws be implemented? I don’t believe curfew laws are very productive and useful.

Works Cited

“American Civil Liberties Union.” American Civil Liberties Union. 30 Oct. 2013 .

“Study: Curfews don’t cut juvenile crime.” CNN. Cable News Network. 30 Oct. 2013 .

“Up to Date Curfew Information for the City of Philadelphia.” Up to Date Curfew Information for the City of Philadelphia. 30 Oct. 2013 .

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