Should 10 & 11 year olds be charged?

[epchick]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

And I think those who are suggesting that parental punishment is the answer may be a little optimistic about what the parental authorities are like in cases where the kids are this out of control this early.

Do you suppose that you go from peaceful well-adjusted kid to stomping kids to the point of hospitalization overnight? If effective parental response was coming, I think they would have already gotten it.

See this is why I said they should go to juvie (or something similar). I think if they charge the girls as delinquents, i think the consequence is harsh (keeping them in juvie til they are 21), but give them a week, a month in juvie and I think it will straighten these girls out.

Even if these girls hadn't been in trouble (like this) before, doesn't mean they couldn't have been terrorizing other kids. That age is VERY prone to bullying.

But its the parents responses that get me---its like their child is some angel that can do no wrong. There has to be some consequence. If you leave it up to the parents or the school, then nothing will be done.

I really believe that if it took pretty much nothing for these girls to attack, then they could easily attack again!

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Do you suppose that you go from peaceful well-adjusted kid to stomping kids to the point of hospitalization overnight? If effective parental response was coming, I think they would have already gotten it.

Firstly, I don't think any kid doing such things as these have never been well-adjusted or have never known peace. And it is a wide fluctuation of bipolar psychosis for adjustment to lunacy--in my opinion.

A 10 year old do not have discernment yet. Discernment happens with a combination of age, biology (genetics), education and life-experience. Obviously, a 10 year old does not have the life-experience, education or age to really know the consequences of his or her actions.

Is there a cutoff point? Probably not until 18-20 years old. I don't know? However, it is still formative years for until ~25-28 years old. That is why it is tough when we have kids having babies at 10/11 years old or kids committing crimes with lethal weapons. How do we as a society monitor that?

Originally Posted by epchick

See this is why I said they should go to juvie (or something similar). I think if they charge the girls as delinquents, i think the consequence is harsh (keeping them in juvie til they are 21), but give them a week, a month in juvie and I think it will straighten these girls out.

Even if these girls hadn't been in trouble (like this) before, doesn't mean they couldn't have been terrorizing other kids. That age is VERY prone to bullying.

But its the parents responses that get me---its like their child is some angel that can do no wrong. There has to be some consequence. If you leave it up to the parents or the school, then nothing will be done.

I really believe that if it took pretty much nothing for these girls to attack, then they could easily attack again!

Formal penal institutions are not stopping our crimes. And it sounds like the military does not want these kind of people either.

The issue is economic in nature. There is more upfront costs to solve this issue civilly, than to do the quick fix in throwing in a penal code institution. The penal code institution costs more in the long run and does not solve your problem that the civil action upfront costs and longterm avenue.

Longterm means going to group everyday of the week except Sunday, having check in with a licensed mental health worker and probation officers, etc. Nutritionists, physical evaluations with MRI for brain deformities and possible psychotropic drug treatments.

I do think there is possibly a loss in B-complex vitamins during pregnancy and post-natal care. I could be wrong.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

A 10 year old do not have discernment yet. Discernment happens with a combination of age, biology (genetics), education and life-experience. Obviously, a 10 year old does not have the life-experience, education or age to really know the consequences of his or her actions.

I'm sorry, i think this complete crap. I got suspended in 6th grade for fighting--I was 11. I knew that there was consequences for my actions, to say that a 10/11 year old wouldn't understand is either underestimating a child, or bad parenting. Sure a 10 year old who hasn't ever been punished in their life wouldn't know the difference between right and wrong. But i've asked my 12 & 13 year old cousins about this, and their response---"put them in jail!"

But when something this wrong happens, i'm sorry, there should be consequences whether the child understands or not.

And I think if the parents don't do anything, something should be done for that as well.

[UGAalum94]

In this thread and others I've seen people make the claim about how crimes can be prevented with more upfront costs. What is it that you think can be offered socially?

I think the problems come from a breakdown in the family and in a shared sense of community. I don't think either can be promoted with increased spending.

What do you have in mind?

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

In this thread and others I've seen people make the claim about how crimes can be prevented with more upfront costs. What is it that you think can be offered socially?

I think the problems come from a breakdown in the family and in a shared sense of community. I don't think either can be promoted with increased spending.

What do you have in mind?

@Bolded: We all know what happens when we do nothing or make it worse that tackle the problem head on--we are a witness to it now... We do nothing or make it worse (i.e. violating the US Constitution) we will have G-E-N-E-R-A-T-I-O-N-S of clean up all because of anger, ignorance, and stereotype. Where does that get us? Have we truly solve ALL human problems?

It is about VIGILANCE--we must remain vigilant to end this kind of problem. And the thing is, it is not a one size fits all mentality--it is a individualistic, game-time, real-time, IM, live-chat (other 21st century euphemisms) that will solve these problems... Guess what, YOU ALL--Your generation will solve it. Mine is too old now. I'm not going to go out there and get beat down by dogs. Been there, done that. So, guess what, you all got recruited...

So, now that you find yourselves in this midst of this humanity--In medius res--might I suggest that you all use your intellect, your rationalism, your sense of democracy, federalism, pluralism, civility, deism, (all the isms) and upgrade it to be Podcasted, throughout your blogs...

Can you all reach back and make that change? I don't know? But for some reason, I have more faith in your generation--maybe just for today--possibly because the Sun is shining in my area. And to me, IMO that's good enough.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by epchick

I'm sorry, i think this complete crap. I got suspended in 6th grade for fighting--I was 11. I knew that there was consequences for my actions, to say that a 10/11 year old wouldn't understand is either underestimating a child, or bad parenting. Sure a 10 year old who hasn't ever been punished in their life wouldn't know the difference between right and wrong. But i've asked my 12 & 13 year old cousins about this, and their response---"put them in jail!"

But when something this wrong happens, i'm sorry, there should be consequences whether the child understands or not.

And I think if the parents don't do anything, something should be done for that as well.

When I say discernment, what would be the difference from the stopping, turning and walking away vs. committing acts of violence?

These kids think it is okay to do it and ask forgiveness later... The problem is when it is vicious and lethal, there is no forgiveness involved in that.

Apparently, either these kids NEVER knew the difference between right and wrong or they just don't give a damn. Probably both... Which means in America, we are in dire straits.

I am sorry, I do not want to believe that no matter how true. Call me delusional or looking through rose colored glasses, but has humanity gotten that bad in morals and ethics?