Post on Week 4 themes here.
Possible discussion topics: Voter turnout - why is it decreasing each year? What could you do to get more people to vote? Should we follow a system similar to Australia to encourage voter turnout?
Why is voting important?
Which party would you vote for in the next election? Why? What are three ideas in that party's platform that caught your attention? How would it benefit you / your community?
Should people under 18 be treated differently under the law than adults? What measures are currently in place for minors? Read this story below, comment on what you think the outcome should be and why.
http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/13-year-olds-arrested-in-connection-to-two-armed-robberies-1.3403877
Lots of flooding in the news. Who is responsible for clean-up in the aftermath? This article suggests the government is. Do you agree? What levels should bear the responsibility?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/in-canada-flooding-happens-because-governments-let-it-happen/article34925831/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/flooding-worse-monday-quebec-may-2017-1.4104120
Also: in the news again.
http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/housing-prices-soar-yet-again-in-the-barrie-area-1.3403496
This week we looked at different types of government. We also discussed war and terrorism and the implications they pose on our rights and freedoms. We looked at the events of 9/11 from different perspectives.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete(This is not my comment)
ReplyDeleteI found it somehow found the 2 robbers menthioned here on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrIM_FlNtNY
It was quite interesting to see how the robbers reacted during the robbery. I would say that it was quite a bold action for 13 year olds to rob a store.
how can this relate to our government and economy? perhaps this is a sign that prices and tax are too high for some people to afford to buy products. Maybe this means we should start allowing companies to hire youth under the age of 14 so events like this dont happen because of their lack of money. I believe that if the Canadian government revises these two statemnts, less events like this that involve youth would happen. just some thoughts :)
Deletestatements*
Delete*somehow found
DeleteI agree on your idea Emma. The comment was just for posting the video link. It was just interesting to see how they robbed the store. Sorry for the confusion. I will later post my idea about the issue.
DeleteThank you for sharing this video with us. And interesting suggestion, Emma. Which companies do you think would be open to hiring such young people?
DeleteFlooding
ReplyDeleteI agree that the government should be responsible for cleaning up the aftermath of flooding, or at least assist by creating new programs, groups, or jobs to help with the damage. Flooding is a recurring issue that happens with heavy rain or natural disasters. It has always been a factor that should be considered when plotting new buildings near high-risk areas without proper preventive protection. The fact that flood protection programs such as the Flood Damage Reduction program have been forgotten about and neglected while damage from floods continues to happen shows how the government is not that focused on this issue at the moment.
I think all levels of the government should be actively involved with flooding issues, because of all the damage it causes. For example, the federal government should set flood prevention guidelines, methods, and precautions that the provincial and municipal governments can follow based on the conditions in their provinces or cities. If these places have plans to, for example, build dams or other water storage places near common flooding areas, more people, buildings, and wildlife would be safe.
As of yesterday, northern B.C. has been under a flood risk warning. The people living there are preparing for around 80 mm of rain, which could cause flooding in some areas. Citizens have been warned to stay away from water and riverbanks during this time. Although the flooding has not occurred yet and it is unknown if it will cause any damage, it could all be prevented or at least reduced if there were active and affective measures in play.
The government will likely start coming up with solutions for flooding in the near future because the problem has been going on for so long. The fact that so much damage has been done because of the government’s lack of a plan at the moment, I believe the government should be responsible for cleaning up the aftermath of floods.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/in-canada-flooding-happens-because-governments-let-it-happen/article34925831/
https://ec.gc.ca/eau-water/default.asp?lang=En&n=72FDC156-1
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/flood-preparations-underway-in-northern-b-c-1.4111560
Why is the voter turnout decreasing each year?
ReplyDeleteVoting is an extremely important part of a Democratic Government, it gives citizens a say on what decisions should be made in the country. However, despite the ability to vote being a PRIVELEGE, the voter turn out decreases every year. I believe this decrease in voters is happening because a lot of people have stopped caring about what happens in our government system/country and if something goes wrong then they wont personally be at fault for it because they never voted for that to happen in the first place. Also, another reason I believe the voting turnout decreases every year is because lots of people are not educated about our government so they might not know who the should vote for and whos values to support.
Statistics show that there are a variety of reasons why Canadians are not voting in elctions whether they are municipal or federal. in 2011, 28% of people who didn't vote said that they simply were not interested in the election and voting, 23% said they were too busy, and the rest of the non-voters said they didnt vote due to being out of town or because they didnt like the candidates.
How can we increase the number of voters in elections?
Some possible suggestions on how to increase the voter turnout is to include campaigns on HOW to vote, and including small penalties to those who choose not to vote. By teaching younger students or even adults how to vote it will increase their likeliness of voting later on and feel confident about what they are doing/choosing. Providing penalties to those who choose not to vote is a suggestion that I believe will definitely increase the voter turnout. In countries such as Australia, if you do not provide a legitamite reason on why you can not vote they can fine you $19 Canadian. If you refuse to pay off this fine you can face legal prosecution. This enforcement will increase Canadian voting turnouts and provide a small penalty to Canadians who choose not to vote at all.
A decreasing voter turnout is a challenge that Canada faces continously every election. This is caused due to lack of education about politics, and many people not caring about figures in the Canadian government. Overall, I believe we can increase the Canadian voter turnout by teaching people how to vote in school and campaigning tutorial sessions for adults. Also, i believe we should provide minor penalties to Canadians who choose not to vote. I think by doing these things we should be able to increase the Canadian voter turnout gradually over time.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2015-voter-turnout-1.3230342
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/the-alarming-decline-in-voter-turnout/article4247507/
Your reasons behind why fewer people are voting are very true. Many people do not care about what happens to our government. I agree that introducing campaigns on how to vote/what the consequences of not voting are, more people will vote.
DeleteAs Emma pointed out, Canadian voter turnout has been decreasing recently. The last time more than 70% of Canadians voted was in 1992 for Charlottetown Accord, a referendum on amendment of the Constitution. Throughout my research, I found that many nations around the world are facing similar problems. As a result, the governments have tried many different ways. As Emma mentioned, one of the ways is giving penalties for non-voters. Some others approach with fun approaches. They have campaigns explaining the importance of voting and how to vote. For example in Canada, through Civics classes, we are taught the importance of voting in a democratic society. According to Mr.Forsyth’s lesson, we learned that voting is a way of voicing out our opinion and contributing to the politics. This is because the elected people with a set of promises will make policies based on the promises. I believe that the importance of election and voting should be considered more seriously. I agree with Emma’s approach but perhaps we could seek for non-forceful ways of encouraging voting.
DeleteCitation:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2015-voter-turnout-1.3230342
Mr.Forsyth’s lesson
http://www.annenbergclassroom.org/speakout/path-to-the-presidency-why-is-it-important-to-vote
Robbing a Store
ReplyDeleteTwo thirteen-year-old teenagers, were arrested in connection to a pair of convenience store robberies. They were armed with knives and wore disguises. I think we can all agree that something needs to happen in order to prevent future events like this, but the action that should be taken is often debated.
Many people believe that these kids should be sent to jail, as it is obvious that they robbed the Mac's, and they should be sent away for the safety of the community. However, others believe that prison, while providing a temporary fix, is unlikely to correct the prisoner's behaviour. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, prisoners can develop social isolation, depression, diminished self-worth, or even violent tendencies. Prisoners in "SuperMax" prisons can suffer even larger psychologically due to the extended periods of complete isolation.
This poses an issue to events such as the Mac's store robbery, because all of those side effects from prison could quite likely make the perpetrators more violent in the future. How would prison help these teens in any way? They would miss out on being a teenager, and they would have difficulty finding a job and making a career for themselves in the future. Pair this with the possibility of psychological degradation in prison, and there is a perfect recipe for future acts of violence.
Instead of spending millions on prisons and more security, I believe money should be spent on preventative measures. As Mr. Foresythe told us, someones personality is mostly determined by age six. If there is more support for young children's mental health, then there could be a drop in crime in future years. Additionally, counselling for criminals could also be a viable option, even after the crime. For example, The National institute for justice found that, "[interventions] based on punishment and deterrence appeared to increase criminal recidivism. On the other hand, therapeutic approaches based on counseling, skill building and multiple services had the greatest impact in reducing further criminal behavior."
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SOURCES
http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/13-year-olds-arrested-in-connection-to-two-armed-robberies-1.3403877
https://aspe.hhs.gov/basic-report/psychological-impact-incarceration-implications-post-prison-adjustment
https://www.nij.gov/journals/265/pages/therapy.aspx
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I dont feel that there is a temporary fix, not to be harsh against humanity... but if kids were robbing while they were KIDS, theyre going to continue their bad habits throughout their lives... In my opinion i agree with the fact that there should be more money spent on preventative measures like counselling, and funding for all children to have the oppourtunity to go to daycare to learn the right ways before the age of 6
DeleteI do agree that more money and research should be put into preventing things like this. For example, giving children more opportunities to see therapists or counselors if parents notice any changes in behaviour. It's better to keep youth on a good path and take on any existing issues instead of ignoring them, because then events like this happen.
DeleteTrump Fires FBI director
ReplyDeleteThis week, U.S. president Donald Trump has done something many people would classify as fishy. On tuesday, Donald Trump fired the FBI director James Comey, he claims that he was fired due to his handling of his search into Hillary Clinton's emails, however, some people suspect that this is false, and that the real reason that Comey was fired was due to his investigation into Russian involvement in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. This situation is extremely suspicious, and many believe the later to be true.
FBI director James Comey hasn’t had the greatest performance, and has gotten heat from the public before. If Donald Trump had actually been upset about his performance, we would have fired him much sooner, however, he did not. James Comey was in the middle of an investigation about Russian involvement in the 2016 election. There have been rumours about Russian involvement since the election, but they have not held firm ground, this investigation as intended to dispel worry, and make people feel more confident about the election in 2016. The white house has claimed that there was no political motive in the move, which some people are saying sounds a little too suspicious. When asked about the decision, Donald Trump said “He's a showboat. He's a grandstander, the FBI has been in turmoil. You know that, I know that, everybody knows that.". Donald Trump was scheduled to go to the FBI headquarters and “raise morale”, however, the FBI has told the U.S. president that he is not welcome, and that he will not be treated warmly, as he did not have an acceptable reason for firing their boss, and did not have another person ready to take his place. Trump claimed that Comey is “Not able to effectively lead the bureau”, with these claims and no proof, it is leaving people wondering if the country remains a Democracy.
People believe the timing in this situation is far too suspicious, and are questioning if the government is truly a Democracy. Donald Trump needed no permission to enact this, and nobody truly had the power to stop him from doing this. This has made people feel as if they are living in a Dictatorship, with their president being able to do whatever he likes, with little opposition. Many members of senate have judged Trump’s decision, wondering if the Russian probe was getting “too close to home”. The FBI has stated that they will continue their investigation, despite the termination of their boss. This event has created a divide between the FBI and the U.S. government, and it will be interesting to see what becomes of this situation. We as the people have the responsibility to pressure the FBI into leading these investigations, as they need answers, and cannot be forgotten about, or we will all be allowing a corrupted government to manipulate us.
Sources:
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-comey-idUSKBN1852MV
http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/09/politics/james-comey-fbi-trump-white-out/
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-fbi-idUSKBN1871I7
I personally believe that you are correct in that, the timing of Comey's termination is a little too suspicious. He should have been fired way before this, specifically when he started discussing the details of an active investigation to the press. The FBI in the 2016 Presidential Election got too political, especially for an organisation designed to deliver justice.
DeleteThis is definitely suspicious. Thank you for sharing this. The timing of this shows that there's likely more to this story that we do not know, and that there's a chance it could impact us in the future.
DeleteArmed robbery
ReplyDeleteOn May 8th, two 13-year-olds were arrested for armed robberies at Mac’s convenience store with weapons on their hands. They were armed with knives and wore disguises. The police believed that these perpetrators are linked to the robbery on April at the same store. The incident links to an ongoing debate on whether they should be treated as adults or not.
People under 18, also legally defined as Juvenile, must not be treated like people older than 18. The Canadian Juvenile Justice defines that the act applies to persons between the ages of 12 to 17 who commit crimes. The current measure that applies to juveniles is Youth Criminal Justice Act. According to the act, a young person who is charged with an offense, they still have the same rights as adult criminals, such as the right to bail, and the rule of evidence, but youths have additional safeguards. They are tried at Youth Courts and kept apart from adult prisons. The act separates the youth from the criminal justice system. This is based on the idea of the difference in the responsibility for a crime or a fault as in ages. The system especially focuses on rehabilitating the Juveniles who made mistakes.
Juveniles should be given chances to correct their mistakes so that they will never do it again in the future. This is because teenagers are not capable of thinking the consequences for their actions. It is scientifically proven that they are reckless and impulsive due to their undeveloped brain. The researchers’ scan shows that when brains develop, the prefrontal cortex is the latest part that develops. This part is responsible for controlling impulsiveness, and sensitivity to others’ feelings. People with a problem at this part of the brain are usually impulsive and can’t control their emotions. This is the reason why teenagers with developing brains don’t think of following consequences. Understanding the biological differences teenagers should not be treated the same as adults.
The purpose of prison should not be punishment but correction (for only first-time criminals and non-serious criminals). The prisons are there to correct and prevent the future crimes. For vulnerable juveniles who are impacted by their environment, a prison full of perpetrators will actually do harm and will cause more problems to the juveniles. When these juveniles are released from actual prisons, they are basically bombs that are ready to set-off, and they will be more dangerous to the society. Prisoners behind the bars have will likely to develop anxiety issues, depression, and PTSD. These are mental diseases that can lead them to other potential crimes. According to Oxford University study, depression is linked to violent crimes. For the good of our society, prisons should focus on preventing future crimes and not punishing the perpetrators.
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2015001/article/14164-eng.htm
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/juvenile-justice-systems/
http://fairsentencingofyouth.org/2013/05/30/adolescent-offenders-should-not-be-tried-as-adults/
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-13425236
http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/13-year-olds-arrested-in-connection-to-two-armed-robberies-1.3403877
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/25/diagnosed-depression-linked-to-violent-says-university-oxford-study-sweden
As you said, throwing teenagers into correctional facilities will only give them more issues and problems. They will miss many growing opportunities in their teenage years if they do not have the chance to experience more things. If they are locked up and left to dwell on a bad decision (like robbing a store), they have a high chance of developing mental issues, which as you mentioned, puts them at a higher chance of committing such crimes or worse again. I do not believe that teenagers should get away with crimes, but putting them behind bars isn't the best way to deal with it.
DeleteI agree with Tessa, I believe that children should not be put behind bars. Instead I feel they should be placed in a loving home that can support them as well as teach them proper ways.
DeleteVoting Turnout
ReplyDeleteWhy is it decreasing each year?
Historically, voter turnout has been decreasing within Canada. A study done for Elections Canada stated that as teens turn 18, fewer and fewer participate in elections, creating a 'dwindling' effect. According to Statistics Canada, the two main reasons for people not voting were a) lack of interest in politics, and b) not having enough time to take the time to go to the polls.
What could you do to get more people to vote?
My first suggestion would be to revamp ensure that EVERYONE is educated very early on about our political system, which party is which, who leads what, etc. I bet there are some Canadians who believe Canada has a President, or don't know the three levels of government. This in turn would confuse these uneducated people, and thus reduce their willingness to get involved in 'boring' politics.
My second suggestion would be for the top three political parties, the Liberals, Conservatives, and NDPs, to attempt to start productive debates. Additionally, it would be good to see these parties structure their debates so that their interesting, and easily accessible. This would allow every Canadian to figure out who they support and why.
My final suggestion would to make voting personal. In order to do this, voters need to be presented with political stances on local issues, not just federal ones. Elections Canada could ensure that all of their polling sites are accessible as well.
Should we follow a system similar to Australia to encourage voter turnout?
I think a system similar to Australia would definitely encourage voter turnout, just as long as the system was flexible (e.g if someone is sick, they can be exempted etc). Canadians should have an OBLIGATION to vote, and stop taking their freedoms for granted.
SOURCES:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/the-alarming-decline-in-voter-turnout/article4247507/
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/02/22/canadian-voter-turnout-reasons-election_n_9294270.html
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/82960168/Australias-voter-turnout-lowest-since-compulsory-voting-began-in-1925
http://www.businessinsider.com/how-designers-increase-voter-turnout-2016-10/#customize-booths-to-cater-to-different-needs-5
*revamp the curriculum to ensure...
DeleteYou made a very good point about making sure that everyone is educated. Considering some people do not know anything about their country's government, it would make sense that some people wouldn't vote. If both children and adults were more informed about the importance of voting, I believe that more people would do it.
DeleteTessa, I completely agree with that. I also believe that more people would take part in voting if they were further educated on the subject. Also, I feel that if there was more media around voting it would become more popular as well
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhy is Voting Important?
ReplyDeleteVoting: a formal expression of opinion or or choice, either positive or negative, made by an individual or a body of individuals.
Every citizen in Canada-over the age of 18-has the right to vote. Canadians have the freedom of speech without infringing on others rights, therefore any Canadian of age is legally allowed to vote. When voting in Canada one is putting in their say as to whom they want as their Prime Minister.
Since all Canadians have the right to freedom of speech, it is very important to express their right to vote. Canadians have so many different reasons to vote, different health care changes, changes in the municipality, everything from roads to buildings being built. There are many different parties, or options in Canada for citizens to vote upon. Canadians need to express their rights and stand up for themselves since they have the right, and other places do not.
Another reason that it is important to vote in Canada is the fact that if their was no voting taking place, the government system would fall apart. The same Prime Minister would stay in power for their entire lives, and the government would transform into a dictatorship because of the non public choices of their government.
https://borgenproject.org/voting-is-important/
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/voting
http://massvote.org/the-importance-of-voting/
https://www.usa.gov/voting-laws
Voting is a very important thing in Canada and many other countries. In your last paragraph you stated that our government could turn into a dictatorship if people did not vote. This could happen if people completely stopped voting, and our democracy would fall apart.
DeleteIt's a scary thought.
DeleteEspecially since fewer and fewer people are voting.
DeleteVoting In Canada Is a right and everyone who can vote should vote.
ReplyDeleteBut what If you can't... If you are under the age of 18 you legally can't vote.
Does our opinion not matter?? I think It does!
The majority of the population Is elderly (because of the baby boom) this means that the candidate that captures the attention of the elderly gets the most votes.
If "kids" could vote and were more educated on the voting system I think we could change our society for the better In a big way.
In a first nation setting even the children had a say In everything because they were one group that cared about all opinions.
If we had our society like this we could accomplish so much as one group with a united goal.
Furthermore, in the Jewish religion a child becomes a man at age 13 and a woman at age 12.
So why is Canada so opposed to letting youth vote?
we are the most culturally diverse country but we have one of the oldest voting ages in the world.
I should have a choice in MY future!
sorry it doesn't say my name
Delete-Jonathan
Very good point. Considering older people take up majority of the votes, younger people's opinions will have a lower chance of being heard. Teenagers these days have a pretty good understanding of what they think should be improved upon or changed, and it is unfair to them that the things that they want to be improved upon likely will not happen because the older generations that are also voting likely do not share the same views. If the change that young people want is ever going to happen, they need the opportunity to have their voices heard.
DeleteShould we follow a system similar to Australia to encourage voter turnout?
ReplyDeleteIn Australia, voting is compulsory. Anyone over the age of 18 who does not vote faces a fine (the fine is around 20$). This allows for a very high voter turnout, and forces people to be active in democracy. However, many people also feels that it stifles people’s freedoms, and in undemocratic. In their 2013 election, Australia had a 94% voter turnout, compared to 57% in the us 2012 election and 61% in the 2011 Canadian election.
The main drawbacks of compulsory voting are that it forces people to vote when they have consciously decided that they disagree with all of the candidates. It would also lead to people voting randomly because they are not aware of the standings of political parties, or spoiling their ballots so that they cannot be counted. More problems arise when people are unregistered to vote. Young people especially are often unregistered. Once all of these factors are considered, Australia’s impressive 94% voter turnout falls to just over 80%.
Many Canadians do not vote because they are politically unaware, disagree with all of their options, or feel that their vote does not truly have any effect. Other people just don’t feel the need to get up and walk to the polls. Being unaware of one’s political options, or just disliking all of them, is something that individuals need to take responsibility for on their own. However, mandatory voting would probably encourage people to actually pay attention to the current political climate more so than they already do. Furthermore, a small fine as punishment would prod people into getting out of their house and voting, while not debilitating lower income people due to the low impact of such a small fine. Potentially, revamping the way that votes are factored could lead not only to people feeling that their vote also matters, but also to a more representative electoral system.
Canada could benefit from laws similar to, but not identical to, those used in Australia. Tweaking the law so that people have less reason to spoil their ballots, for instance having a “none of the above” box that could be checked, and used to record the number of people who are unsatisfied with their options, could be beneficial. However, a mandatory voting law would not fix Canada’s low voter turnout on its own. People need to be made aware of their political options through unbiased means. They also need to be encouraged to vote for their own benefit, not just because it would cost them 20$ otherwise.
http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=rec/part/estim&document=index&lang=e
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-23810381
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ranked-ballots-ontario-toronto-fair-democracy-1.3520703
Very interesting. The way that voting is done in Australia is very different and more efficient than it is in Canada. Introducing a system like this could cause some issues, though. It would be hard to introduce something so much more different than what we're currently used to in Canada. And as you mentioned, not everyone votes because of reasons such as that they are unaware of the importance of their government or they just don't like the candidates that they have to choose from. Before something like this could ever be introduced to Canada, people need to be more educated so they can have valid opinions and understandings of politics.
DeleteMinors’ Rights
ReplyDeleteCanadians not considered old enough to be adults have far different rights than those of “adults”. In my opinion, Canadian citizens who know well enough to vote should be able to if they so choose, as long as they are informed. An easy qualification would be a high school civics course. Passing it would signify that you know enough about the government to make your own informed decisions.
Those who are not yet “adults” usually should not be treated differently when they commit a crime. Mr. Forsyth gave the example of the pair of 13 year olds that committed multiple armed robberies. They clearly had malicious intent and should therefore be tried as adults. If you’re capable of attempting to threaten someone’s well-being for personal gain, then that person almost certainly knows the dangers they may face and should be judged as any other human being.
http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/13-year-olds-arrested-in-connection-to-two-armed-robberies-1.3403877
Minors’ Rights
ReplyDeleteCanadians not considered old enough to be adults have far different rights than those of “adults”. In my opinion, Canadian citizens who know well enough to vote should be able to if they so choose, as long as they are informed. An easy qualification would be a high school civics course. Passing it would signify that you know enough about the government to make your own informed decisions.
Those who are not yet “adults” usually should not be treated differently when they commit a crime. Mr. Forsyth gave the example of the pair of 13 year olds that committed multiple armed robberies. They clearly had malicious intent and should therefore be tried as adults. If you’re capable of attempting to threaten someone’s well-being for personal gain, then that person almost certainly knows the dangers they may face and should be judged as any other human being.
http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/13-year-olds-arrested-in-connection-to-two-armed-robberies-1.3403877
Very good idea! I think having passed a civics class is a good requirement for being able to vote. I think every citizen's opinions are valuable, and it is actually strange how younger people's voices cannot be heard through voting. It is their future, and they don't even have the chance to make the changes that they want because they are too young to do so. I completely agree with you that taking a civics course signifies that you have a good understanding of civics.
DeleteArmed Robbery
ReplyDeleteTwo 13 year olds have been arrested in relation to a pair of armed robberies. On Sunday May 7th the teens walked into a Mac's convenience store with knifes and dressed in disguises. They demanded money and cigarettes. The two were also responsible for a robbery on the same store a month earlier.
Teens can be very impressionable, so what would putting them in jail do? Sometimes jail can help. By allowing teens access to resources that will work with them so it doesn't happen again. There are places that offer housing, schooling and counseling, for troubled youth. Programs like this allow teens to still have access to school, and it gives them a safe environment to grow and learn from their mistakes. By doing this it can decrease the likelihood of them committing the crime again.
As usual there is an exception of the rule, depending on the crime teens can be a danger to those around them. Therefore resources like the one I’ve mentioned might not be the best option. Jail or prison might be a safer option, for both the perpetrator of the crime and the people working around them. With the 13 year olds in this situation I think they need to be reviewed to see what option better fits their situation.
http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/13-year-olds-arrested-in-connection-to-two-armed-robberies-1.3403877
http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,110232,00.html
https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/7294002-barrie-boys-charged-with-robbing-store-clerk-at-knifepoint/
As you mentioned, I think it depends on the situation. If something like counselling is more likely to help a teenager from committing more robberies or other crimes, then they should get help that way. If they are in counselling and they are not improving and they continue their crimes, further treatment or possibly jail is probably necessary.
Delete