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Summary Of Greg Ousley Is Sorry For Killing His Parents Is That Enough

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America has always been strict with the notion that children are to be treated as such. Legal curfews, age restrictions, and parental controls on televisions are only some examples of how the United States makes one thing very clear: children and adults are not the same. Interestingly enough, the only time that changes is with crime; when the actions of one person negatively affect another. In this case, it is heinous crime, the kind to allow life without parole as an option in conviction. This statement is strongly against such an idea. Juveniles should not be given life in prison because their brains are underdeveloped, they are inexperienced and deserve a chance at rejoining society. It goes without saying that the brains of minors are …show more content…

As for why this is can be explained simply: people change. With time, meditation, and reflection, it is completely possible--though not always a guarantee--for someone to change from how they were before. It is for this reason that life for convicted juveniles is a very bad idea, especially when considering that the type of change that occurs within someone can be heavily influenced by environment. Scott Anderson, author of the article “Greg Ousley Is Sorry for Killing His Parents. Is That Enough?”, agrees with this claim. He explains how, “for the long-term prisoner, hope is a tricky property, something that needs to be constantly monitored and managed” (Anderson). The focus of his article, Greg Ousley, ended up describing the reason why he found himself turning to murder. He said how, “...basically, it all comes down to one thing: acceptance. In my case, it was not being accepted by my parents for trying to be myself” (Anderson). Regardless of who does the talking, the point is that people change and learn from their mistakes; and while some minors may have committed bigger, badder crimes than other does not mean they should not deserve a second chance at …show more content…

This statement is definitely uncomfortable with it, and the reason why is simple. Minors are only starting out in life, and while there is no excuse for crime, any juvenile who commits such heinous acts must have endured something to justify it in their eyes. Perhaps if society would take the time to help such troubled minors instead of locking them in rooms forever, they would begin to change. After all, the adolescent period is an extremely point in time developmentally speaking. According to an article by The Nation, “...parts of the brain that drive emotional reactions, impulses and reactivity to peers develop before those that control impulses and imagine consequences...which enable adults to resist pressures”. Minors need guidance during such a delicate time, and because of the constant change in brain chemistry, it is no surprise that some act out more than others. Locking them away in small rooms for society to ignore--not help--them fixes

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