Posted by AuntieMel on March 3, 2006, at 13:36:22
In reply to Re: Juvenile Justice? » AuntieMel, posted by Dinah on March 3, 2006, at 10:56:06
Reasoning for different treatment? Sure, there is an age where kids know right from wrong and know going into something that they are making a mistake.
But kids really don't have fully cooked brains yet, and the ability to control impulses is much less than for adults (for the most part - there are exceptions in either direction.)
And kids just don't have the concept of time down yet and think of the "now" more than the "later"
Long punishments for kids to me accomplishes about the same as scolding the puppy hours after he messes the carpet. They just don't make the connection.
My youngest just turned 21. By the justice system she was "grown up" three years ago. But she still has trouble with keeping a lid on herself at times. Not as much as a three years ago, by a long shot, but she's still a work in progress.
And I remember when I was the same age. I thought I was grown up, but I still did what felt good at the moment and didn't think much of the long term consequences.
poster:AuntieMel
thread:614721
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20060204/msgs/615443.html