Gone are the days when a child’s biggest crime was pulling people’s hair, kicking them or calling them names. In today’s society, teens and young adults are committing shocking crimes, and children as young as 10 are members of violent gangs.
The recent arrest of two Georgia teens, one 15 and the other 17, for allegedly shooting and killing an infant and shooting his mother after an attempted robbery is a prime example of the heinous acts of violence that are being carried out by our youth.
While the crime itself was horrific, one of the most disturbing aspects is the ages of the boys involved. It is troubling that when I turn on the news and hear of a young person getting busted for drugs or being arrested for shooting, robbing or harassing somebody, I am no longer shocked because it’s becoming the norm.
From gang violence to school shootings, the disturbing acts being committed by these young people are becoming more common by the day.
If the saying “children are the future” is indeed true, we, as citizens, must act swiftly with guidance for today’s youth. It is our responsibility and civic duty to protect our country by protecting our children, even if it means from themselves.
Through mentoring programs and increased community involvement in schools, it is possible to save the lives of children, teens and young adults, from both death and incarceration as results of violent acts.