Friday, August 26, 2011
The Ball Is In Our Court
To conclude we sadly are in a bad spot according to the examples above. However the silver lining here is simply we are making it aware. The first step is to make the right people aware this is an issue and New Zealand seems as though they have been trying. In my last example we can see a 'no tolerance' approach to what has occurred from looting during riots. Maybe this is partly an approach we should take a hint from. I am not suggesting that we should make it simply 'tougher' however a consequence portrayed to the assailant should be clear, have a physical/mental component but then be backed up with positive controlled feedback which INCLUDES the parents. Rather than spend this money on technology at school we should instead be focusing on a process like above to prevent the youths heading down a path of what seems to be no return. New Zealand has a chance, will it take it?
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This is a really interesting topic Chris. And a very thought provoking one. It's disgusting to know that people so young are out committing such heinous crimes, with little to no punishment. In the case(s) of repeat offenders there should definately be a higher level of punishment, since I think they will definately know what they are doing and that it is very wrong (in the case of the boy holiding the knife to the eldery's throat).
ReplyDeleteBut maybe they can see that in NZ, life is only 17 years, that's not a lot. So if murder only means 17 years imprisonment, they must know that they will be able to plead ignorance in some cases, which is again, disgusting.
Really interesting topic! :)
Thanks heaps for the feedback ;3 Indeed it is a very frustrating topic sadly but I still am so passionately attached to. Like I said to Andrew I hope that we don't spend too long on coming up with a 'firm' but 'fair' punishment system for youths. Simply put should we treat them like adults? If so it's easy, simply mimic the punishment system given to the adults and treat all offenders as equals. At the end of the day that's what victims look for. Justice!
ReplyDeleteYour whole blog is truly interesting indeed, Chris. However, you seem to be confusing as of what do you want out of the posts? You said death penalty is too much but you also disagree with the current policy. If it's that easy like you said the government won't have much works to deal with. Same as you going against the current system, there are heaps of people out there which I believe they will make a world scale arguments if the government raise the penalty level. From your information and comparing to my own country, as the system is totally different but the situation is the same. Recently, there's a teen boy, killed a whole family with a knife to steal the gold shop leaving a new born boy with one of his hand cut off (yes i mean he now only have 1 hand). This crime, if it happen in New Zealand, how would you judge it? Try put a death penalty on him and people will come crawling up to you or just forget it? I agree that any penalty other than death would be unfair but well the laws can't agree with everyone. I'm happy when New Zealand still can keep the crime level that low :)
ReplyDeleteThanks heaps for the observation Simon! A challenge :D My overall goal for the posts is simply to create awareness as well as portray that the current system (although it has it's heart in the right place) has lost it's luster for New Zealand and needs to be overhauled. I am fully aware that this problem is more than just New Zealand (an international issue) however the figures are alarming considering the population and the fact that the crimes are becoming, in reports from my examples, more aggressive. Due to cultural frameworks that have been in motion for 100's of years it would unethical for me to create a global solution for this problem (although I would be up for a challenge). The government according to what I have seen are looking for 'quick fixes' rather than looking for a permanent professional solution that promotes a 'no tolerance' policy. Because we were only allowed so many words I sadly could not fathom to develop a solid solution although as you could imagine I would have a lot to say. This subject can be touchy I agree however the bottom line is if you commit the crime you need to do the time anything less than that is avoiding the purpose of punishment. In terms of your example you provided I personally would not allow the assailant back into functional society. The problem we have Simon is because he is a youth he will be let back into society (in New Zealand system) one time or another. Someone like that made the choice to end lives so what gives them the right to have more than one opportunity to a 'normal' life. I have a lot more to digress on however without loosing the point of the response I thank you for a thought provoking statement.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting topic. I agree that Juvenile Law needs to be amended. I think that liberal treatment of offenders may have nothing to do with the growth in violence, but perpetrators thus handled are surely left with a reduced awareness of the seriousness of their offenses. Also I agree that death penalty is inappropriate for teenager. To rephrase the term "death penalty", it is like carrying out another murder legally.
ReplyDeleteThanks Akira! Very true something needs to be done about the Juvenile Law system and after reflecting on my own work I can also see that indeed there are other influences like easier access to violent material in media (e.g. internet, television), influential events and age humanity is currently experiencing, values and beliefs within certain context cultural frameworks etc. I too share the opinion that the death penalty is on the other end of the extremity we are currently in with New Zealand's current system. I feel that simply following through with aggressive and time consumed punishment that may send a clear message to youths considering to commit future crimes. Thanks heaps for the comment Akira very well noted!
ReplyDeleteHey Chris,
ReplyDeleteAwesome work on your blog. Your points you have discussed here are also what i have to agree with on teenage crime. Agreeing with the comments before me the death penalty is too much but the NZ punishment system needs to be a little more harsh to keep these kids in line. Or we should expect the teenage violent crime stats to rise. I feel looking at teenagers these days and almost encountering a fight with a few young boys not so long ago because my friend was of European ethnicity they feel that "fighting or threatening" another person is something that is cool! Picking on the older generation is even worse! If i had it my way i'd take it back to old school where discipline NOT ABUSE was allowed! at least then they knew where they stood and didn't try and do half the things kids do now. Teenagers back in those days had their rebels but there was that line of respect Now if you beat someone because you could is something that kids go looking for just to report back to their friends which is sad and should be looked at more closely. great eye-opening topic!
Thanks Ethan and Luseane. I am glad this topic didn't ruffle too many feathers mind you for people it did they probably wouldn't of commented. Either which way as I have stated a lot of people are looking to go back to the 'old school' method of punishment (discussing of course about the 'process'). I personally think that the track we are leading down will only ring larger negatives if not monitored by people looking to change the future. Hopefully some one will pick this case up. Waiting..........
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