obviously, everyone holds SOME responsibility, but studies have shown that teens brains are still evolving and have difficulty grasping the repercussions of their actions and also can't totally grasp the future implications of their actions.
so, in general, are teens resp. for their actions?
2007-02-22 10:14:12 · 5 answers · asked by Beastmaster 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
If you're speaking of criminal responsibility, I heart U has it waaaay wrong. Many adolescents and children, as young as 10 have been tried as adults in adult court. It depends on the nature of their crime.
I agree with you wholeheartedly about diminished responsibility since the frontal lobe connections are not finished until about age 25. I also KNOW from my experience in the criminal justice system that this matters NOT ONE WHIT to anyone.
2007-02-22 10:29:41 · answer #1 · answered by jurydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Teens should be responsible for their actions. They know right from wrong, good from bad, etc. If we don't hold them responsible for their actions, how will they learn or get the maturity they will need for adulthood?
I understand the concept of an under-developed brain in adolescents. They are still growing. But we learn how to behave as small children and being an adolescent should not excuse anyone from responsibility.
2007-02-22 10:27:03 · answer #2 · answered by katydid 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People are only "responsible" for their actions if they're a legal adult which in the USA counts as 18 and over. Otherwise, they will be tried as a child in the court of law and go to Juvenille Hall for some crimes.
And on a personal note, I think the government should raise the majority to 21, or 18 with some exceptions.
2007-02-22 10:21:32 · answer #3 · answered by the BABY 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In general, yes they are responsible for their actions. Once a person reaches the age of 13 they have a pretty good grasp of right and wrong. I don't think they should be tried as adults, but the level of punishment should not be as harsh as that given to an adult.
2007-02-22 10:24:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Teenagers may not understand the full consequences of their actions, but they are still responsible for them unless they are so severely mentally ill that they don't know right from wrong.
2007-02-22 10:30:13 · answer #5 · answered by kielsa03 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋