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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that children know the difference between way before the age of 14?

29 replies

Ionlylikeitwhenitrains · 12/11/2012 07:35

senior magistrates are discussing raising the age the age of criminal responsibilty 14.
A IBU in thinking children know right from wrong before the age of 14?
AIBU in thinking it's f'ing crazy that an 11, 12, 13 year old could get away with murder?

It's a long time since i was 10 but I definately could be held responsible for my actions.
Not as much as an older child, but I could differentiate right from wrong.
That's because I had parents that taught me this.

I think it would be suitable to base any convictions punishments and rehabilitation on a child personal/family circumstances.
I also think it would be disastrous to excuse any wrong doing because in many cases children like that go on to commit atrocities and I can seee so many potential offenders slipping through the net

< trying my best not to sound hysterical >

OP posts:
WhoWhatWhereWhen · 12/11/2012 07:49

It's not about knowing right from wrong It's about a teenagers brain not always having proper impulse control, like a car with a very sharp accelerator but crappy brakes.

www.cbsnews.com/2100-204_162-3564047.html

Sirzy · 12/11/2012 07:48

The problem is so often when children commit crimes it is because of the fact they have been massively let down by their parents and the system on a whole and/or they have other issues and health problems. I don't know what the answer is but I am not sure that for most 'punishment' in the sense of being locked up with equally mixed up youngsters will help.

Nuttyprofessor · 12/11/2012 07:45

An 11 or 12 year old that murders has probably had an abusive childhood. Not sure prison is the answer. Don't think it should be used as a get out of jail free card but it is probably not too late to turn their lives around.

I have an 11 year old DS who absolutely knows right from wrong but some children are dragged up in ways I don't want to think about.

HollyMadison · 12/11/2012 07:43

I don't think behavior would be excused - it would be dealt with appropriately for that age. Which is probably not the same way it would be for an adult or older teenager who committed the same offense. I agree that an 11 year old should know what is right and what is wrong but knowing something is wrong is not the same as being criminally liable for an offense.