Do Curfews Keep Teens Out Of Trouble?

Juveniles & Violence -- The Statistics

Over the past several years, concern about juvenile crime and teenagers' safety has led many U.S. cities to enact teen-curfew laws. Such laws make it illegal for youths under a certain age usually 16 or 17 to be in public places during specified hours, usually between 11 p.m. or midnight and dawn.

While the overall crime rate has declined for the past four years in the U.S., the juvenile violent-crime rate, comprising murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, has climbed, except for 1995. In that year, the juvenile violent-crime rate declined slightly, but it did so for only the first time in almost 10 years. Between 1984 and 1994, the homicide-arrest rate for juveniles nearly tripled. Just under 2,800 juveniles were arrested for homicide in 1994, compared with 958 such arrests in 1984. The number of gun homicides by juveniles quadrupled between 1984 and 1994.

In response to high levels of juvenile crime, 146 of the nation's 200 largest cities now enforce teen curfews. Ninety of these municipalities have passed new curfew laws or have begun enforcing old ones since 1990. Including smaller cities and towns, about 1,000 communities now impose teen curfews.

Teens under the age of 18 SHOULD have curfews. Whether it be in their own homes or in a friend or relative's home they should not be allowed on the streets after 11pm. Children should not be allowed out during the hours that an adult may be out drinking and driving or going to/leaving a bar.

References

www.blog.youthsrights.org
www.familyfirstaid.org

Thursday, September 24, 2009

I think that curfews are good for kids, teens whoever. I think it keeps them out of trouble and also it doesnt allow them to be running around all night especially if they have school or something the next day.

Issues with Argument

Polls were closed with no voting
Most bars open by noon and close by 3am so adults could be leaving or going to bars during those hours
Homicide information does not indicate that the majority of them occurred during the 11p - 5a time frame.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Should be but not

it would be nice if this was enforced but it aint....so yea =)

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Hello, parents??

I think parents should enforce curfews on teens. Your children should be your responsibility.

Good Idea / Not stopping them

I do understand that the curfew would be a good idea but, it's not enforced. The area I live the police have other things to do and don't check Identification so it would be pointless to enforce it. I believe it would be great but when not enforced.... it does no good.

Curfews

Curfews should be implemented to protect our youth. This should be enforced by the adults for our childs safety. There isn't any reason why a young child should be running the streets after 11pm at night. This is definitely a good restriction.

yes i believe curfews help there is no use except for a few exceptions that kids should be out so late.