Juvenile delinquents should not be treated like adult offenders due to various reasons. The juvenile delinquent is young at maybe 14 years, and their level of maturity, experience, and decision-making cannot be compared to that of a 24-year-old. The delinquents often act as a result of peer pressure or other mischievous reasons that young people get involved in immorally. An adult has the maturity and decision-making knowledge to avoid engaging in irresponsible activities (Shoemaker, 2009).
The other reason is that the delinquents are still young and have room for improvement if raised and corrected. Many delinquents have grown up to be mature and responsible adults in the society. However, an adult offender has no more time to amend his ways because they are independent when it comes to being responsible and morally upright.
The harsh punishments given to adults may also be unsuitable for delinquents as some result of crime due to their experiences. Some experience various events in life that leave them maimed (Shoemaker, 2009). Therefore, delinquents should be handled with care despite the extent of crime committed. Various juvenile and adult judges claim that delinquents and adult offenders cannot be treated the same.
Juvenile delinquency is also a responsibility of the society and community in ensuring that such children are rehabilitated. Once such delinquents are not rehabilitated, they change into adulthood with the same mentality and immoral behaviors. The society should ensure they provide rehabilitation facilities for the juvenile delinquents. It reduces the possibility of the child becoming an adult offender who would face harsh punishments. Rehabilitation involves taking the delinquents to facilities that provide counselling and activities that prevent delinquency (Bartollas, 1985). The child is considered as the responsibility of the society and not just the parents or guardians.
Therefore, the juvenile delinquents should not be treated the same as the adults due to their level of maturity as they have the ability to be rehabilitated. Using harsh methods as consequences may not solve the issue of delinquency.
References
Bartollas, C. (1985). Juvenile delinquency. New York: Wiley.
Shoemaker, D. J. (2009). Juvenile delinquency. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
