Introduction
Adolescent crime remains a persistent problem in the United States, prompting the government to develop different approaches to tackling the issue. Designing effective prevention and rehabilitation programs and ensuring appropriate punishment for adolescent offenders is critical. If unaddressed, teen crime threatens the social and economic well-being of the country. The problem is thoroughly discussed in the article titled “Teen Crime: More and More Teens Are Being Tried as Adults – a Good Idea?” This article review examines the paper and argues that it provides an unbalanced view on punishment for adolescent criminals.
Article Summary
The article contends that trying teen perpetrators as adults is an effective preventative measure to deter adolescent crime. In the late 1980s, violent crime rates among adult offenders dropped slightly (“Teen Crime,” 1997). Meanwhile, similar statistics in the younger population showed significant growth (“Teen Crime,” 1997).
In response, Duval County in Florida enacted legislation allowing adolescents to be tried as adults (“Teen Crime,” 1997). The measure translated into a dramatic decrease in adolescent crime rates. Thus, long sentences issued to teenagers serve as a deterrent for others. Nevertheless, there is strong opposition, highlighting the need for rehabilitation that long imprisonment impedes (“Teen Crime,” 1997). Despite being a somewhat controversial measure, applying adult sentences to adolescent offenders is efficient.
Article Strengths
The discussed article is well-organized and provides arguments in a logical order. One of the primary strengths of the paper is the use of current crime statistics at the time of print. They are utilized to illustrate the extent of the examined problem as well as the efficiency of the solution. In addition, the article offers an opposing view on the issue to present a balanced view.
However, it should be noted that despite an opposite point of view being introduced, it is not supported by evidence. Moreover, the article provides the opinions of critical stakeholders to show the overall effect and reaction to the enacted measure. Thus, the paper relies on quantitative and qualitative data to discuss the Florida legislation.
Article Limitations
Nevertheless, it can be argued that the article under review has several limitations. As its primary focus is on discussing a specific measure to deter teenage crime, it fails to address other preventative measures that have been proven effective. For example, rehabilitation is the only measure mentioned, and no data is offered to allow for an objective comparison.
Furthermore, the article indicates that the House of Representatives was ready to provide over $500 million to support trying teenagers accused of armed robbery, aggravated assault, and murder. However, the financial burden of running adult and adolescent penitentiaries versus rehabilitation is not tackled. In addition, the causes of rising adolescent crime rates are not addressed. Considering this lack of information, assessing whether the discussed intervention is truly effective is difficult.
Conclusion
Overall, adolescent crime is a substantial problem. It requires urgent intervention and deterrence measures. Trying teenagers as adults is one approach. Notably, it effectively decreases violent crime rates. However, it can prevent successful rehabilitation. Therefore, other measures should be considered.
Reference
Teen crime: more and more teens are being tried as adults – a good idea? (1997). Current Events, A Weekly Reader Publication, 97(7), 1–2.