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Debate Info

5
4
Youth should not be punished Youths tried as adults
Debate Score:9
Arguments:5
Total Votes:10
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 Youth should not be punished (3)
 
 Youths tried as adults (2)

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Teena(8) pic



Youth and the Criminal System

I feel and know that youth should NOT be punished by the system as adults. This type of punishment is governed to adults only.Why? Simply there is a distinguished difference in age as well as maturity. If we do not stand up for what is right then we will be blamed for what is wrong!

Based on a blog at motherspyviolence.blogspot.com, a qoute by Jay Makarenko takes a neutral stance in the issue. However as I see this, youths should NOT be tried as Adults they are mearly influenced by many factors that they cannot help. Related factors include but not limited to: Gun violence, drugs, abuse and mental disorders. We as a society want to see youth succeed and be prosperous but punish them as Adults. Wherein lies the justice!

In conclusion if there is any wrong in the world today it has to do with the penal system and trying of youths and thats my stance. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT!

Youth should not be punished

Side Score: 5
VS.

Youths tried as adults

Side Score: 4
2 points

Tugman I agree with your initial clause.

However with the latter part, a youth being tried as an adult because he or she hacks their family does not give the criminal justice system the right to try the individual. As my opening statement said they could have a mental disorder. Or perhaps they could be a member of a dysfunctional family. So I put the ball back in your court, is it right that they should be incarcerated?

Side: Youth should not be punished
Avedomni(78) Disputed
2 points

These apply to people of all ages. When a 25 year old commits a felony, perhaps he has a mental disorder, or was raised in a dysfunctional family. On what basis do you support the penal system at all while arguing against it's application to youth. Specifically, why is it acceptable to you that a 19 year old be sentenced to life-in-prison while it is unacceptable that a 16 or 17 year old receive the same penalty? (if you don't believe it should apply to 19 year olds, then just move the relative ages to where you believe it should apply)

The simple fact is that, for the most part, our system is not based on the reason why a crime was committed (excepting "defenses" such as insanity, self-defense, or unawareness of consequences), but rather on removing individuals deemed dangerous to society from society. A 16 or 17 year old who kills someone for whatever reason is just as dangerous to society as a 27 year old who kills someone for that same reason.

Side: Youth should not be punished
Teena(8) Disputed
2 points

Avedomni- If the offender does not pose a threat to society why do you feel so strongly about the individual being incarcerated for life. Here is a quote I would like you to read.

"Clearly, to ensure the safety, protection and rights of innocent people in our society, it may be necessary to prevent certain chronically violent offenders from being released back into society. Yet for individuals who have repeatedly shown they are incapable of behaving in a society in a responsible and nonviolent manner, jail is exactly where they should stay."-Dominique Valiquet

Side: Youth should not be punished

Youth would be minors and minors are a protected class, therefore, minors should not be tried as adults.

Side: Youth should not be punished
1 point

It depends on the age, crime and maturity of the youth. If he is 10 and steals a bike he should not be punished as severely as a 16 year old stealing a car. A kid should be tried as an adult if he hacks his family up and he is mature enough to have known what he was doing.

Side: Youths tried as adults