"Cruel and Unusual", or Justified Punishment?

"Cruel and Unusual", or Justified Punishment?
We must asses the factors of age, psychological development, mental capabilities, and overall morality of providing the death penalty as possible punishment for adoloescents. It is unjustified to put to death a child that may not be mentally capable of committing a crime, or a child that may not know right from wrong. The death penalty for juveniles is wrong; juveniles committing a crime at such a young age have a higher chance of future change and therefore deserve a lesser sentance.

From State to State: The Juvenile Death Penalty in Perspective of Age

From State to State: The Juvenile Death Penalty in Perspective of Age
In 2003, it was reported that 22 states participated in the execution of juveniles to as young as age 14. Utah, as one of the states, reported allowing the death penalty for juveniles as young as AGE 14! Although it is widely known that children can be mischevious, there is no excuse for putting a child to death as a result, no matter the severity of the crime. Psychological evidence has proven the underveloped state of a childs brain as well as an inhibited ability to rationally think. Knowing right from wrong can only go so far, but when addressing the punishment of a child, we should have alternatives to punishment, other than allowing the DEATH PENALTY.

A Chance for Reform

A Chance for Reform
"Once a trouble maker, always a trouble maker" should be taken in a different light when assessing the reform of juvenile deliquents. Children, having less of a developed cognitive core, are more succeptable to suggestion and change. Although juveniles are capable (and convicted) of committing crimes ranging from petty theft to murder, we must not shy away from the fact that these children are also willing to change. Sentancing a child to the death penalty leaves no room for a future, or a life for that matter. We must not allow this punishment, under any circumstances, due to the fact that children CAN change. Instead, life sentances, with possibilty of parole for good behavior, should be offered and taken on a serious note.

Discussion Forum: A Question of Psychology?

Due to the emotional and psychological maturity of an adolescent, is it justified to allow the death penalty as a possible punishment for crimes committed by juveniles? As many psychologists will argue, an individual’s ability to rationally think is not fully developed until the age of 25. Brain studies have also shown that the regions of the brain responsible for decision making and impulse control are not as well developed in adolescents as in adults, thereby rendering adolescents less culpable for the crimes they commit. So, with this in mind, are children under the age of 18, or 25 for that matter, mentally capable of murder; or, can childeren play the "innocence card" in these types of cases?
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