Greg Ousson's Article: Startling Finds On Teenage Crimes?

Growing Pains

In America’s society today, trying juveniles as adults is seen as a just punishment. However, trying juveniles as adults for their violent crimes is unreasonable considering how immature a juvenile is compared to an adult. Therefore, juveniles accused of violent crimes should not be held accountable on the same level as an adult due to lack of maturity.

When an adolescent commits a violent crime, it does not mean that they are destined to lead a life of crime. Such actions are not a sign of things to come. Committing heinous actions could be merely due to the uncontrollable phase that many adolescents go through. In the article, “Startling Finds on Teenage Brains,” Paul Thompson explains how teenage brains are immature when he

Such circumstances negatively influence an adolescent to the point where they are overwhelmed. This would make them feel as if committing a heinous crime is the only solution to their temporary problems. Trying juveniles as adults does not conscientiously acknowledge the peer pressure and lack of maturity—on behalf of the parents—that an adolescent grows up with. These circumstances often contribute to an adolescent’s reason to commit a violent crime. Greg Ousley’s case exemplifies how outside factors drove him into murdering his parents. In the article, “Greg Ousley Is Sorry for Killing His Parents. Is That Enough,” Greg seemed to be under pressure when Scott Anderson states, “if [Greg] didn’t [kill his parents] now, no one would ever believe him about anything again” (Anderson 105). Ousley mindlessly succumbed to peer pressure. He wanted to kill his parents for the sake of proving himself to his friends so that they can take him seriously. He worried more about his image than the consequences of his actions. Anderson also mentions the tension between Greg’s parents when he reveals, “Whatever respect [Greg] still held for [his parents] was now gone; his mother was no longer just a “bitch” but a “whore,” his father a clueless cuckold” (Anderson 102). After Greg discovered how absurd his parents were becoming, he became hopeless. He had convinced himself that he would remain miserable for as long as he lived

Some may argue that juvenile punishment is reasonable because of how the justice system can no longer imprison adolescents for life. In the article, “On Punishment and Teen Killers,” Jennifer Jenkins argues, “The juvenile death penalty was abolished her years ago and a life sentence still allows a great deal of good living to be done—even from behind bars…” (Jenkins 92). Considering their age, adolescents will grow up in prison and only adapt to that environment even if they do not stay there for life. This would never teach them the crucial skills necessary for life outside of prison. Keeping adolescents locked in a prison until they have reached their 30’s and 40’s is cruel. They will learn enough to survive in a prison but not enough to keep up with today’s society, such as with modern technology. This diminishes their opportunities to live a stable life once they are out, which is why it is crucial to focus on helping them rehabilitate rather than to set a harsh punishment on