Belle Tyynismaa

Courts should be able to try juveniles as adults.

“Kids today are more sophisticated at a younger age; they understand the implications of violence and how to use violent weapons. It is absurd to argue that a modern child, who sees the effects of violence around him in news every day, doesn’t understand what killing really is”

This statement is obviously true, today younger and younger children are being introduced to violence. Video games, toys and miscommunication between parent and child have sent a spiraling downturn of juvenile committed crimes.

Depending on the age of the juvenile, and the severity of the crime they should be tried as adults; juveniles understand the crime just like any adult. However, they are not charged as such since people are worried these children will be harmed or scarred for life by being in prison. Obviously, they had to be mentally unsettled before, to commit the crime.

For these children to even feel the desire to harm or upset someone else’s life is upsettinging itself. I think a major factor to point out is how the family dynamics affects the kid(s). Every person, every kid, needs to have a positive role model. Also, if the parent, guardian, or another sibling took part in the crime, I’m sure the child thought it was okay. That leads to the thinking,

“If my family does it, I want to do it too” what a terrible example to be setting.

Communication is key when it comes to these situations. Keep up with your kids-know who they hang out with. Check their grades regularly. Know what your child’s life is like. Today, kids can be at home but have a totally separate life from their parents. Thanks to Facebook, the internet, and mobile devices, juveniles are able to have a totally separate life without leaving home.

There is a new generation of children today. We are growing up with the luxury of technology. We are much more sophisticated mentally; we understand more mature things at a younger age then in past generations. Drugs, violence, and sex are all being introduced and experimented at younger ages; with that, comes more responsibility. Without guidance, juveniles may end up in jail. No big deal- they can handle this, right?

Five students from South Tama Middle School have been participating in the National Day on Writing through the AEA. Throughout this school year, the students will be working hard to complete various collaborative writing projects on a specific controversial topic. STC students are working with students from all over the state of Iowa by communicating by posting on a Wikispace. One of the writing projects was to create an editorial. The five students (Ellah Driscoll, Belle Tyynissmaa, Wyatt Hintermeister, Thayne Lamb, and McKenna Knock) were nominated by their literacy teachers. Watch for more editorials from the students upcoming in The Chronicle and Tama News-Herald.