Youth Need example essay topic

Over the past ten years, the juvenile crime rate has fluctuated, leaving law enforcement officials baffled over what programs may or may not work. Some believe that strict penalties, such as adult trials, will bring an end to the rise in youth crime activity. Others believe youth need to be dealt with delicately and reformed into model citizens through therapy. One aspect that is a constant in both beliefs: it is society's responsibility to find a way of preventing children from going awry. President Herbert Hoover once said, "For every child who is in conflict with society, the right to be dealt with intelligently as society's charge, not society's outcast" ("Violent Kids... ".

... 3). Severe penalties may keep some youths from committing serious crimes, but how do we get to the root of the problem and prevent juveniles from even choosing the wrong road? More importantly, how can individuals make a difference in the life of America's youth?

The answer is simple: Early detection, positive council, and extracurricular activities can allow a person to actively change the path of a troubled youth. Some, however, consider this therapeutic way of dealing with our juveniles too passive; those who believe so, feel we need to lower the age of acceptance into the adult court system. According to Robert L. Sexton, an economics professor at Pepperdine University, only five percent of juveniles are tried in adult courts (Sexton 663). It only makes sense that if juveniles are tried as adults for felonies, fewer of them will commit offenses that lead to jail time.

Lowering the age of acceptance into adult courts would also permit officials to maintain records on repeat offenders, contrary to the current system that keeps all juvenile cases confidential. This current, forgiving system poses a problem when a repeat offender shows up for his first adult trial with an apparently clean record. Sexton confirms that there are many instances where apparent first time offenders have committed many serious crimes, but because of the youth justice system, the records were not available (Sexton 663). If the age limit to be tried as an adult is lowered, an accurate record of repeat offenders could be kept, and adult sentences would be implemented fairly. This proposition may seem tantalizingly cost efficient compared to juvenile centers and overall effective, but it fails to go to the root of the problem facing America's youth today. The first way of preventing juvenile violence is through training youth leaders in ways of detecting the early stages of violence venting from a child's anger.

The main difference between juveniles and adults is that children simply do not know how to express their anger in a positive manner, so they resort to physical violence. It is important to identify and understand the type of anger being exhibited by the child whether it be constructive, destructive, purposeful, or spontaneous (Dealing With an Angry Child... 2). Once the type of anger is asserted, a teacher, a parent, or a mentor can instruct the child with new ways to constructively deal with his anger. Another important factor in early detection is the realization that aggression differs from anger. Luleen Anderson, a Ph. D. for Children Today, quotes, "Anger is a temporary emotional state caused by frustration; aggression is often an attempt to hurt a person or to destroy property" (Anderson par 6).

Aggressive children are more prone to violence as an outlet for anger. What these children need is to be accepted for who they are before any advice they receive will be put into action. This leads to another vital part of early detection which is to catch the child being good ("Dealing With an Angry Child.".. 10). By complimenting a child after he has shown an improvement in handling his aggression, it encourages him to continue making progress. Soon the juvenile will see the rewards of dealing with his anger through positive actions.

The second way an individual can prevent juveniles from committing violent crimes is through counseling. The first step someone can take toward helping a troubled juvenile is finding the good qualities in him, and assuring the adolescent that he can achieve anything in life as long as he works hard for it. It is important to realize that he could be in his situation for many reasons, superficially labeling him as a delinquent could hamper his progress. The poor family life some children have to endure is the chief reason for children getting involved in a life of crime.

If the child does not feel loved at home, he will try and find acceptance somewhere else. That is why it is important for therapy treatment to involve the entire family ("Violent Kids... ". ... 9). Once the whole family opens up, a root to the child's problem can be located, and a solution can be found.

According to Deedee Corradini, a columnist for USA Today Magazine, "Violence or neglect at home, violence on TV and in movies, drug and alcohol use, and underdeveloped conflict management skills are all contributors in influencing the way children manage their anger" (Corradini... 6). If loving parents are active in the lives of their children, youth are more likely to develop skills to deal with anger more effectively, especially when concerning other people. That is why it is important for schools to make it easier for parents to be involved with their children ("Stopping School Violence... ".

... 1). Nevertheless, no matter how loving the home environment may be, good friends can have a stronger influence in a youth's life. This makes it imperative go beyond the boundaries of home and also focus on healthy peer relationships. A child who is blessed with decent friends will be less likely to go against his healthy peer pressure. Even though poor family and friendships are not the only reasons violent children erupt, it is plain to see the effect they have on a child's behavior.

It takes only one caring individual to make a world of difference in the life of a youth. Closely related to counseling, a positive mentor to provide is a way for juveniles to make friends and vent anger through discussion. The major aspect about being a mentor is showing affection for the child (Anderson par 18). When he needs someone to talk to, a mentor is there for him to listen to his problems and provide sound advice. A mentor does not have to be an adult; students can get involved in the lives of others by becoming a peer counselor, and working with classmates who need help with life challenges ("Stopping School Violence... ".

... 2). What some do not know is that student mentoring is a two-way street, and both parties have the opportunity to learn from each other. According to the Child Welfare League of America, the growing practice of training students as peer mediators is one sign of progress ("Violent Kids...

". ... 6). Mentoring can range from students showing kindness to one another, principals setting up one-on-one meetings with students to check on their progress, and teachers incorporating discussions on violence and its prevention in the lives of students ("Stopping School Violence... ". ...

3). Still, mentoring is more than just counseling, : it is being a friendly shoulder to lean on in times of trouble and joy. Another means of reaching juveniles is through extracurricular activities where youths can deal with anger constructively and find acceptance with those who share common interests. People who have similar interests tend to gravitate towards each other, and activities allow youths to take that first step in making friendships. Austin, Texas, for instance, has reduced its youth crime through a program that strengthened family support, increased work opportunities, and offered recreational activities ("Violent Kids... ".

... 13). Though some children respond well to talk therapy, it is important to remember that there are those who need more vigorous activities. For the child who is aggressively angry, physical outlets will allow him to take out the hostility that fuels his violence (Dealing With an Angry Child... 12). By simply providing extracurricular activities, it will open the door for the youth to get involved.

Sometimes, however they need a little shove in the right direction by a peer mentor or counselor. Over all, it is important to realize some youths require physical outlets to help rid them of their aggression. Juvenile crime has fluctuated for many years not, and the fact remains that something needs to be done to our current youth justice system. Our schools can help our community by reaching out to those students in need who will, in turn, help others just like themselves.

Churches can increase inner-city missions and provide alternative activities for youth. Most important, we, as individuals, can make a difference in the lives of troubled children if we just take the time to hear their cries for help. The Child Welfare League of America says that, "People who work with children have an opportunity to shape the cultural environment in which the future is being nurtured" (Child Welfare League... 15). By going below the surface manifestations of juvenile violence, a single citizen can change our juveniles, our communities, and our country

Bibliography

Anderson, Luleen S. "The Aggressive Child". Children Today Jan-Feb. 1978: 31 pars.
10 March. 2003 web "Dealing With an Angry Child".
Brown University and Adolescent Behavior Letter. 1 June. 2001: 16 Pars.
10 March. 2003 "Violent Kids: What Can We Do? " Child Welfare League of America.
Fall. 1996: 17 pars.
Corradini, Deedee. "Making Schools Safe for Kids". USA Today Magazine May. 1999: 8 pars.
10 March. 2003 "Stopping School Violence: 12 Things a Principal Can do, 12 Things a Student Can Do, 12 Things a Teacher Can Do".
Allstate Foundation. 9 March. 2003 Sexton, Robert L.
Tackling Juvenile Crime". Current Issues and Enduring Questions, A Guide To Critical Thinking And Argument, With Readings. Ed. Sylvan Barnet, Hugo Be dau. Boston: Bedford / St Martins, 2002.