Monday, August 27, 2007
Personal reponse 5
Newspaper article 5
Don’t expect to just get probation
HOME The Straits Times
15 August 2007 (front page)
-judge to young offenders
“If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime,” as some might say. Crime is evident in any society – this is a sad reality we must all face. Crime in itself, is damaging to a society; and we must make it clear to each and every individual, that we do not tolerate this minority of miscreants that unravel the fabric our government has tirelessly weaved, in making Singapore what it is today.
Statistics show that Singapore is in fact one of the safest countries in the world. However, let us take a look at this particular issue, one not concerning murder, neither does it concern arson, but the often over-looked, teen robbery. I myself, was taken aback, upon reading the front page. Teen crime, though uncommon and usually small-scale, is not to be taken lightly, as I shall discuss subsequently. However, we must ponder, what could possibly be making teenagers bolder nowadays?
As mentioned previously, teen crime, if not addressed properly and firmly, can lead to severe consequences in the future. If this problem is not nipped in the bud, we then lose all hope in this teenager. Juvenile delinquent or not, teenagers are more prone to being corrected. I believe they deserve the opportunity to change, and society should not give up on this social misfit. In order to stop this brewing trend, we must first understand why teenagers resort to crime.
Teen crime can be seen as a call for help, a desperate plea for attention. Perhaps, such teenagers are neglected by their parents at home, and hence commit such crimes. As we can see, their crimes are usually not that serious for their intent was not the loss of lives, but for the mere sake of doing it. Another reason would be that of peer pressure in which this case, two teenagers were caught. The need to conform to a “gang”, or to be deemed “cool” among one’s friends, might be a likely cause of teen crime. Then again, we must empathize with this group of teens in need. Many a time has the cause been due to economic instability in the family, or perhaps a sole breadwinner fighting to support a large family, in which stealing (in this sense), would seem perfectly logical.
With respect to teen crime, I should think that they do not need our pity, nor the converse, despise. Instead, they need our help. All schools should provide counseling services to help attend to the needs of these teenagers who are often troubled. Needless to say, I would like to encourage all parents to sit down and talk to their children every so often, and let them know that they are with them every step of the way. I believe this article has sent a stern warning to every individual out there: Teenager or not, the law will deal with you accordingly.
Don’t expect to just get probation
HOME The Straits Times
15 August 2007 (front page)
-judge to young offenders
“If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime,” as some might say. Crime is evident in any society – this is a sad reality we must all face. Crime in itself, is damaging to a society; and we must make it clear to each and every individual, that we do not tolerate this minority of miscreants that unravel the fabric our government has tirelessly weaved, in making Singapore what it is today.
Statistics show that Singapore is in fact one of the safest countries in the world. However, let us take a look at this particular issue, one not concerning murder, neither does it concern arson, but the often over-looked, teen robbery. I myself, was taken aback, upon reading the front page. Teen crime, though uncommon and usually small-scale, is not to be taken lightly, as I shall discuss subsequently. However, we must ponder, what could possibly be making teenagers bolder nowadays?
As mentioned previously, teen crime, if not addressed properly and firmly, can lead to severe consequences in the future. If this problem is not nipped in the bud, we then lose all hope in this teenager. Juvenile delinquent or not, teenagers are more prone to being corrected. I believe they deserve the opportunity to change, and society should not give up on this social misfit. In order to stop this brewing trend, we must first understand why teenagers resort to crime.
Teen crime can be seen as a call for help, a desperate plea for attention. Perhaps, such teenagers are neglected by their parents at home, and hence commit such crimes. As we can see, their crimes are usually not that serious for their intent was not the loss of lives, but for the mere sake of doing it. Another reason would be that of peer pressure in which this case, two teenagers were caught. The need to conform to a “gang”, or to be deemed “cool” among one’s friends, might be a likely cause of teen crime. Then again, we must empathize with this group of teens in need. Many a time has the cause been due to economic instability in the family, or perhaps a sole breadwinner fighting to support a large family, in which stealing (in this sense), would seem perfectly logical.
With respect to teen crime, I should think that they do not need our pity, nor the converse, despise. Instead, they need our help. All schools should provide counseling services to help attend to the needs of these teenagers who are often troubled. Needless to say, I would like to encourage all parents to sit down and talk to their children every so often, and let them know that they are with them every step of the way. I believe this article has sent a stern warning to every individual out there: Teenager or not, the law will deal with you accordingly.
# posted by Kris @ 5:14 AM 
