Why Should Teenagers Be Charged?

“Fifty-nine percent of youth sentenced to life without parole are serving time for a first-time offense.” That’s more than half of the youth that are sentenced to life: Will not even have a second chance at life. Whether the crime they committed was big or not, there are many things going on in a teenager’s mind. Many factors play a role in their thinking abilities and decisions that they make. For instance, a teenager’s mind is not fully developed until the age of 21. This causes them to think differently from an adult and is one of the reasons why they shouldn’t be charged as one. There is also school and peer pressure. Trying to fit in and meeting the wrong crowd can contribute to bad behavior and decisions that are regretted in the future.

If the government were to set up programs for kids who were sentenced to life and change for the better, it can better our nation and generations to come. The youth is the future of this nation. Instead of being in prison, they can help our communities and remind other teenagers who are struggling that there is a second chance at life if they put in the effort. Teenagers can communicate well amongst each other which is why it would be a good idea for them to do public speeches in prisons and detention centers. No one knows best than someone who has already passed through the same situation as they have. It is important to note kids who do not have someone to look up to. Behavior is taught at home by parents but not everyone is fortunate enough to have both a mom and a dad. It has been learned through various researches that most of the teens involved in criminal activities come from a household which has either one or both parents missing. The U.S. Census Bureau has shown that “nearly one in three teens live in homes where the father is absent.” Children with absent fathers grow up with a large set of problems. These problems include; Loneliness, depression, being empty and lost, having no purpose, anger issues, etc. When a teenager notices they are abandoned and are consumed by anger, they take it out on society because they feel that it’s unfair that everyone else has a perfect life. They also commit crimes to gain attention and take their frustrations out on anything. If the system for teenagers are locking them up for life for their mistakes and lack of guidance, then those in charge are setting them up for failure and showing them that no one cares about them. That feeling of being abandoned will be carried by them for life as well. A way to help is for churches to get involved. They can set up programs to help teens and see if any change can progress. If