Young people committing crimes should be treated the same as adults by the authorities. To what extent do you agree or disagree

The assertion that young people who commit crimes should be treated the same as

adults

by authorities is a subject of considerable debate. I largely disagree with

this

viewpoint, as juveniles possess unique psychological and developmental characteristics that necessitate a distinct approach within the

justice

system.

Firstly

, adolescents are in a critical stage of cognitive and emotional development. Their decision-making abilities, impulse control, and understanding of consequences are not fully matured. Scientific research indicates that the prefrontal cortex, which governs reasoning and judgment, continues to develop well into the mid-twenties.

Therefore

, holding young

offenders

to the same standards as

adults

does not account for their developmental stage and their greater potential for change and rehabilitation.

Secondly

, the primary focus of juvenile

justice

systems is rehabilitation rather than punishment. Treating young

offenders

as

adults

often leads to harsher penalties, which can have detrimental effects on their prospects for reintegration into society. Exposure to the adult criminal system can increase the likelihood of recidivism, as youths may become hardened by the punitive environment. Age-appropriate interventions,

on the other hand

, can address the underlying issues contributing to criminal

behavior

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and support the offender's development into a responsible adult.

However

, it can be argued that in cases of severe or violent crimes, treating young

offenders

as

adults

may be justified to ensure

justice

and public safety.

Such

exceptions highlight the need for a flexible approach that considers the nature of the

offense

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offence

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alongside the offender's age. In conclusion,

while

there may be exceptional situations where adult treatment is warranted, generally, young

offenders

should not be treated identically to

adults

. A

justice

system that recognizes

the

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developmental differences and focuses on rehabilitation is more effective in addressing youth crime and fostering positive societal outcomes.