Should kids have a curfew?It happens to most teens at one time or another: racing to get home in time for a curfew curfew [O.Fr.,=cover fire], originally a signal, such as the ringing of a bell, to damp the fire, extinguish all lights in the dwelling, and retire for the night. The custom originated as a precaution against fires and was common throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. . Missing a curfew imposed by a parent can mean hearing the words "You're grounded!" But violating a city-imposed curfew could bring sharper penalties, including arrest and an appearance in juvenile court juvenile court Special court handling problems of delinquent, neglected, or abused children. Two types of cases are processed by a juvenile court: civil matters, often concerning care of an abandoned or impoverished child, and criminal matters, arising from antisocial . Many cities have curfew laws. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. police and government officials, such rules help reduce crimes that involve teens. But some parents and civil-liberties groups are challenging curfew laws, saying that they violate constitutional rights. The Connecticut Civil Liberties Union, for example, recently argued that one town's law violated vi·o·late tr.v. vi·o·lat·ed, vi·o·lat·ing, vi·o·lates 1. To break or disregard (a law or promise, for example). 2. To assault (a person) sexually. 3. the rights of parents to set their own children's curfews. What do you think? Should cities and towns have curfews for kids? YES Curfews ensure that kids are at home after dark--safe and sound. The goal is to protect children from harm. Many public curfews are set at hours when kids should be at home anyway. "If you're 16 or younger, you belong in the house, not standing on a street corner," said Pat Camden, a Chicago police official. Chicago is one of the largest U.S. cities to impose a curfew on its teenage population. For kids who live in dangerous areas, a curfew can be especially effective in keeping them safe. It also teaches kids the importance of obeying rules. NO Curfews violate our constitutional rights. All U.S. citizens have a right to gather peacefully and to be protected against unreasonable search and seizure unreasonable search and seizure n. search of an individual or his/her premises (including an automobile) and/or seizure of evidence found in such a search by a law enforcement officer without a search warrant and without "probable cause" to believe evidence of a . Instead of imposing curfews, cities and towns should invest in positive outlets for teens, like skate skate, fish: see ray. skate Any of nine genera (suborder Rajoidea) of rounded to diamond-shaped rays. These bottom-dwellers are found from tropical to near-Arctic waters and from the shallows to depths of more than 9,000 ft (2,700 m). parks and after-school activities. Besides, it is a parent's right to determine what is best for his or her child. "A curfew should be decided by parents, not by the government," says Michael Cappetta, an eighth-grader in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. "A parent knows the independence level of a teenager Teenager See also Adolescence. Ah, Wilderness! high-school senior has problems with girls and his father. [Am. Drama: O’Neill Ah, Wilderness! in Sobel, 15] Aldrich, Henry teenaged film character of the 1940s. [Am. and can decide a curfew that would apply to him or her." Here's How You Voted Our February 23, 2004, debate asked, "Should Soda Be Banned From Schools?" Almost 237,000 students voted. Yes 107,484 No 129,121 Note: Table made from pie chart. [check] VOTE NOW! Should kids have a curfew? Vote online at www.scholastic.com/juniorscholastic |
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