Should Teenagers Have A Curfew?
Many metropolitan cities have either enacted or are in the process of enacting legislature that would ban anyone under 18 to be out of their home alone unless accompanied by an adult. There might be slight variations in the law, but the message is the same: the teens should be home before midnight.
The teens that we talked to were initially surprised at the concept of imposing a curfew on their freedom but most of them also reluctantly agreed that a curfew might help them stay safe. Most crimes are committed when gangs roam about at night and the teens who might be out just to have some fun, might become victims of the crimes committed by the gangs.
The curfew also imposes a fine on the parents who let their teen kids out alone till after midnight. The business are also required to not allow any kids on their premises after midnight.
Why do we need a law?
A law that can impose curfew on the kids, helps to move them back in the safety of their homes before they become victims of a crime. Without a law, even the police may not be able to force them to go home until something untoward happens.
Very often, when the teens are hanging out with the friends, the peer pressure may prevent them from being the first one to say – “I need to go home early”. A law is a great excuse for the kids who want to stay safe.
Many cities have reported at least a 20 percent decline on juvenile crimes after imposing curfew on the teenage kids.
Obviously, crimes are not committed against or by the teens only after midnight. However, more crimes are committed during night time than during the day time. The darkness and the lack of traffic are conducive to crimes and seeking help if stuck between one, is not easy as a kid might be left hurt and alone until he or she is discovered by someone in the morning.
The good news is most kids have started to understand that the curfew would eventually help them stay safe. The parents are able to sleep better knowing that the kids are at home.
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