I came across an editorial in the Winchester Sun calling for Kentucky to allow all juvenile court proceedings and juvenile records to be made public at 16. Treatment typically reserved for the adult system. I’m really going to comment on whether this aspect of the juvenile justice system should change or not, but rather discuss the trend of treating youth as adults when they do something wrong.

It is a near universal impulse for young people to want to grow up and be adults quicker. With the restrictions and disenfranchisement they suffer under as youth, I can’t blame them. Young people face disrespect and disregard at every point in their lives. Heck, its even a slur to call someone young - or childish. Why would someone want to be associated with that?

Youth is associated with being immature, reckless, irresponsible, etc. Logically of course, showing yourself to be quite the opposite would be the best way to distance yourself from that stereotype. However due to our twisted approach toward youth, that’s not at all the case. No amount of being mature and responsible will win you the right to vote, or will get you out of the house sooner. Often it’ll just get you patronized.

It seems many youth have figured out they are playing in a rigged game. Sadly their conclusion isn’t a good one. Because of increasing laws that try juveniles as adults, and now, with the effort like in Kentucky to give additional adult responsibilities even in the juvenile system, it creates a situation where the criminal system is the only way to really become an adult early. Commit a crime and presto you’re an adult.

Suddenly “growing up” isn’t about being more mature and responsible - that’s a fool’s game - its about being hard, or bad, or about engaging in “adult” activities such as sex, drinking & smoking. Our misguided set of age restrictions have created a world in which adulthood is defined as being one of criminality and vice. Those aspiring to be adults, just have to engage in criminality and vice to be treated as adults. What a sad, twisted message.

How about we go the other way, and start treating people like adults for being good, model citizens. How about we start letting younger people vote, and identify THAT with adulthood.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 30th, 2005 at 1:29 pm and is filed under Youth Rights. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.