Argumentative Essay: Does Teen Curfews Effective?

Curfews are government restrictions put in place to keep people indoors. They are typically put in place to address a local concern. Law enforcements as well as parents, support curfews. This is despite the fact that they restrict well behaved teens and are potentially unconstitutional. In reality, it doesn’t deter crime or lead to a safer environment. Curfews are ineffective, and do not fulfil their purpose. Curfews are often put in place to keep someone under the age of 18 from leaving their homes in the periods curfews are made effective (“Teen Curfews Should…”). This would ideally, deter teenage crime. The thing curfews are trying to prove is that restricting youths, forcing them to stay in their houses will decrease crime (Harrington).

If someone is already willing to break such major laws, law enforcement couldn’t possibly expect a minor curfew law to stop them. 26 percent of the crimes are committed by teenagers but that is only 3 percent of the teenage population (Taylor). That 3 percent is never going to be stopped when a curfew is put into play, they will always do what they want whenever they want. However, much of the teenage population will make a couple unlawful decisions but return to be citizens who follow the law

Curfews break many rights set by the constitution; right to move, speak, and interact with others (Favro), as such, teenage curfews would not work because of constitutional exclusions; unable to be used against those under the age of 18. Thus, if martial law does not enact the curfew; law views it as a violation of constitutionally provided rights. Even if they are minors they still have rights, but curfews destroy the freedom they are guaranteed as American citizens (Harrington). For these reasons, curfews go against constitutional rights and as such should be abolished. In cases of emergency, teenagers would remain at home through their own choice (“Teen Curfews Should…”). If there was a danger such as a criminal or natural threat, they would instinctively remain inside. Furthermore, under 15% of people taken in by police are caught committing a crime during curfew hours. Criminal activity is at its highest at 3 and 6 p.m. prior to when curfews are enacted (Budd). Curfews would then only eliminate some if any crimes at