In recent years, there has been significant debate surrounding the treatment of juvenile offenders in the justice system. While the juvenile justice system was originally designed to focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment, there is an ongoing trend in many states across the U.S. where kids are being tried and sentenced as adults. At The Kids Point, we are committed to exploring issues related to child development and providing the public with reliable, research-backed information. One of the more contentious topics in this area is the debate over whether certain juvenile offenders should be charged as adults. While some argue that this practice serves as a deterrent and ensures accountability, a closer look at the science behind adolescent development suggests otherwise.
This article delves into the science-backed reasons why kids should not be charged as adults, highlighting the developmental, psychological, and sociological factors that make this practice ineffective, unjust, and harmful.
The Biological and Psychological Development of Adolescents
One of the most compelling reasons that kids should not be charged as adults lies in the biological and psychological differences between juveniles and adults. Neuroscientific research has consistently shown that the human brain is not fully developed until the mid-20s, with the frontal lobe, which controls decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation, being one of the last areas to mature.
Brain Development and Decision-Making
Adolescents are more likely to engage in risky and impulsive behavior than adults because their brains are still undergoing development. The frontal lobe, which governs rational thinking and self-control, is not fully matured until around the age of 25. In contrast, the limbic system, which controls emotions and urges, is more developed in teenagers. This imbalance can lead to adolescents making decisions that may seem impulsive, reckless, or ill-considered. As such, adolescents are more prone to making decisions driven by emotion rather than logic, which can influence their actions in ways that adults may not comprehend.
Studies show that adolescents lack the full ability to weigh long-term consequences when making decisions. This developmental feature plays a significant role in understanding why teens might commit crimes or engage in behaviors that adults would likely avoid. For instance, young individuals may act in the heat of the moment without thinking through the consequences of their actions, a tendency less common among adults.
Lack of Impulse Control
Impulse control is another area where adolescents differ significantly from adults. Impulse control is governed by the prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain that is still developing throughout adolescence. This delay in brain maturation makes it difficult for teens to resist immediate temptations or impulses, which could lead them to act in ways that they would not if they were older. These impulsive actions are often at the root of criminal behavior in young people, which may be better addressed through rehabilitation rather than punitive measures.
Adolescent Behavior Is Influenced by Context
Another reason that kids should not be charged as adults is that their behavior is significantly influenced by the environment in which they live. While adolescents are certainly responsible for their actions, research has shown that factors such as socioeconomic status, exposure to trauma, and environmental stressors play a major role in shaping behavior.
The Impact of Poverty and Adverse Childhood Experiences
One of the most significant environmental factors influencing adolescent behavior is poverty. Children who grow up in impoverished environments may face greater challenges, including lack of access to quality education, limited social mobility, and exposure to violence and substance abuse. These challenges can contribute to feelings of hopelessness, anger, and frustration, which can manifest in criminal behavior.
Research has also shown that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as physical abuse, emotional neglect, or witnessing violence, are strongly linked to negative behavioral outcomes in adolescence. Children who experience ACEs may struggle with issues such as depression, anxiety, and anger, which can increase their risk of engaging in criminal behavior. These traumatic experiences can also impact brain development, further hindering a child’s ability to make rational decisions or control their impulses. Charging a child as an adult fails to take these underlying issues into account, punishing the child rather than providing the necessary support to address the root causes of their behavior.
The Influence of Peer Pressure and Social Dynamics
During adolescence, peer influence plays a significant role in shaping behavior. Adolescents are more likely to engage in risky or deviant behavior if they are surrounded by peers who encourage or normalize such behavior. This peer pressure can be especially powerful in cases where the adolescent is seeking acceptance or validation from their social group.
Adults, on the other hand, are generally more stable in their relationships and are less influenced by peer pressure. Teens, however, are still developing their sense of identity and are more likely to make decisions based on the desire to fit in or gain approval from their peers. This is another reason why a juvenile justice system that focuses on rehabilitation, rather than punishment, is better suited to addressing the needs of adolescent offenders.
The Negative Impact of Charging Juveniles as Adults
There are also serious consequences associated with charging juveniles as adults. Research shows that charging juveniles as adults can have long-term negative effects on their physical and mental health, their chances of rehabilitation, and their likelihood of reoffending.
Increased Likelihood of Reoffending
When juveniles are charged and sentenced as adults, they are often placed in adult correctional facilities, where they face a much higher risk of exposure to violence, abuse, and exploitation. The trauma that these young individuals experience while incarcerated can significantly impact their mental health and increase the likelihood that they will reoffend in the future. Studies show that juveniles who are incarcerated in adult facilities are more likely to become involved in violent crime upon their release, compared to those who are incarcerated in juvenile facilities.
The punitive nature of the adult system also fails to address the underlying issues that contributed to the adolescent’s criminal behavior in the first place. Rather than offering opportunities for education, therapy, or rehabilitation, the adult system focuses primarily on punishment, which does little to help young offenders reintegrate into society and make positive changes in their lives.
Mental Health Consequences
Incarcerating juveniles in adult facilities also poses significant risks to their mental health. Adolescents are more vulnerable to psychological trauma than adults, and the harsh conditions of adult prisons—such as overcrowding, lack of access to education and rehabilitation programs, and exposure to violence—can exacerbate existing mental health issues or create new ones.
The experience of being incarcerated in an adult facility can lead to increased rates of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal ideation among juveniles. The mental health consequences of adult incarceration can linger long after the adolescent is released, making it even more difficult for them to reintegrate into society and lead productive lives.
Juvenile Justice System: A Focus on Rehabilitation
The juvenile justice system was designed with the goal of rehabilitating young offenders, not punishing them. By focusing on rehabilitation, the juvenile system offers opportunities for education, therapy, and skill-building that can help young people overcome the challenges they face and make positive changes in their lives.
Research shows that when adolescents are given the opportunity to participate in rehabilitation programs, they are more likely to succeed in their rehabilitation and less likely to reoffend. Programs that focus on restorative justice, family therapy, and community support have been shown to be particularly effective in helping young people understand the consequences of their actions and make amends for their behavior.
Additionally, the juvenile justice system recognizes that adolescents are still developing and that their behavior is influenced by a variety of factors, including their environment, their peers, and their mental health. By providing a supportive environment that focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment, the juvenile system can help young offenders turn their lives around and become productive, law-abiding citizens.
At “The Kids Point,” we believe that the science of adolescent development provides clear evidence that charging kids as adults is not an effective or just practice. The biological, psychological, and environmental factors that influence adolescent behavior make it clear that the adult justice system is ill-equipped to address the needs of young offenders. Rather than focusing on punishment, we should prioritize rehabilitation and restorative justice practices that offer young people the chance to heal, grow, and reintegrate into society.
By eliminating the practice of charging kids as adults, we can create a justice system that is better equipped to address the underlying causes of youth crime and provide young offenders with the support they need to build a better future. Ultimately, investing in the rehabilitation of youth offenders will lead to better outcomes for individuals, families, and communities, reducing recidivism and promoting long-term societal well-being.