Some believe that by giving teens a fixed curfew of what time they must be home by, whether law enforced such as in many US cities, or simply decided mandatory by their parents or guardians, that it will help to keep teens off of the street and out of trouble as they will be in the safety of their homes where they can be supervised.
Due to a lot of crime and anti-social behaviour being a result of boredom, perhaps reducing the amount of spare time teenagers possess to hang around on street corners could help to prevent crime and trouble.
However, does trouble really have a time frame? Surely if teenagers wish to do something, they'll go right ahead and do it anyway regardless of what time of day it is?
In fact, some argue that creating a curfew will make teenagers angrier and increase their determination to rebel, as due to a lack of trust from parents and society, they feel that they may as well do something wrong anyway - which is proven in the following statement, as quoted by a teenager:
"As a teen, I know that if I am going to do something illegal already, then a curfew law will not stop me from doing so. In fact, a curfew makes me upset and actually makes me want to break the law. I do become craftier in my illegal ways to conduct my activities. This law completely back fires on itself."
The Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice and the US Department of Justice all agree that a curfew, in fact, does not lower youth crime rates and interestingly, the number of youth arrests made for breaking curfew laws are greater than the number of youth arrests for any other crime; therefore proving that curfews do not have an effect.
So is it the responsibility of parents to teach teenagers the difference between right and wrong and make sure that they are authoritative enough with their child in order for them to be home on time without having a curfew? Perhaps teaching teenagers elaboration of morals would be more effective than telling them what they can and can't do.
Personally, I believe that setting a law enforced curfew to teenagers is a rather fascist movement to make. The Government already control almost every other aspect of our lives; but the freedom of teenagers? Too far. If a parent wishes to set their child a curfew, that is entirely up to them. However, I for one, would be absolutely livid if a curfew law was enforced in my city. How are teenagers ever meant to prove society wrong when all we are given are motives to prove them right and rebel anyway, seeing as we are already perceived as juvenile delinquents and "ASBO's"?
What do you think? Are curfews an adequate method of decreasing youth crime and trouble or is it pointless? All comments are welcome!
