New Member Tournament: Juveniles Tried as Adults

It seems as though this round is for opening only, so I will wait until next round to bring forth any rebuttals. I will attempt to show you that children and adults have different psychological responses to their environment, and should be treated accordingly in the court of law. Furthermore, the child’s brain has not yet developed to fully understand the implications and consequences of their actions. Development of the brainThe brain is the sole cause of our behaviors. Every thought and feeling we have comes from our brain. A brain isn’t fully developed until the age of 25, and children’s brains develop unevenly. Generally in adolescents, the Cerebellum, Amygdala, and Nucleus Acumbens are very active. These centers control our physical coordination, emotions and motivation, respectively. The Prefrontal cortex is the very last part of our brain to develop, and this is what controls our reasoning and judgment of impulses. [1] It is not fair to judge a child with the same standards as adults when their brains are not mature enough to reason before they act. Consequences of impulsive actions made by children should therefore be held with more leisure than the actions of adults. Environmental effects on the brainThe brain is molded by environmental triggers. Neurons that send messages back and forth will strengthen in areas of focus, and will dissipate in areas that are unused. A developing brain has sensitive periods, where any actions or consequences can greatly effect the development process. What this means is that feedback from our environment can help or hinder a brains growth. [2]A young child spends nearly all of their time around family; and this is when their brain is most sensitive. A young brain is one that has plasticity, meaning the ability to change with the environment depending on expected stimuli. This means that the parents are largely responsible for the child’s behavior. An adult’s brain, however, looses plasticity and is more set in its patterns. Because a child’s behavior is largely dependent upon the parent’s responses, the child cannot be fully responsible for their actions. It is not until the child’s brain has matured enough to reason on it’s own that the parents no longer mold the brain, and are therefore no longer responsible for the child. Say a child was raised in an abusive family, where the parents used physical violence on a daily basis. The child’s synopses will be strengthened in areas where violent, physical behaviors are needed. So the child goes on to emulate these actions that he sees. He cannot yet reason that these behaviors are inappropriate; even if he is told by others that they are. His brain is not yet developed to reason before acting. Once the brain develops, the person will be able to reason about his actions. Now he is responsible for them, and should be held fully responsible in the court of law. Special Punishment for Developing BrainsJuvenile court emphasizes therapy and rehabilitation, like my opponent said. This is important and a pivotal factor in the interest of the young criminal, and society at large. Because the brain is still growing and molding, supportive counseling can guide the brain growth into one that makes them a more competent adult. Sticking a child in a cell will do nothing but damage the brain further, making the child more likely to continue his crime in adulthood. A strict lifestyle, focusing on learning, counseling, and routine, can help the child in insurmountable ways. The shaping of or youth is an important step in the process. You cannot pluck a sour apple from a dying tree and expect it to taste good, but you can water that dying tree and make it’s next bunch of apples turn sweet. ConclusionJust like every case is different, every person is different. One should be judged by the circumstances surrounding their crime. A child's circumstances are not always a result of poor judgment; they are a result of a poor environment and lack of judgement activity in the brain. Therefore, appropriate punishments that strive to shape the child for future decisions is the method that is most beneficial, not only for the child, but for society.1. . http://teenbrain.drugfree.org...2. . http://www.ipce.info...