Blog 7: Crime Holds Back World's Youth

Crime Holds Back World's Youth
Kaitlyn Toomes
March 2, 2011
2:50PM


Crime Holds Back World's Youth

The United Nations Children's Fund released a "State Of The World's Children" report on Friday, February 25, 2011. In this report UNICEF discusses the rise in youth unemployment, children kept in jail, and crime amongst youths. The report included statistics stating that "hundreds of thousands of youth are used by armed groups as solders, spies, messengers, and sex slaves." The report also discussed the outrageous amount of youth involved in conflict with the law. Another unfortunate problem found amongst the youth is the lack of job opportunities. Investing in adolescents rarely comes first "when governments set social targets." UNICEF feels that has to change because "investing in adolescents provides our best hope of breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty and inequality that weakens communities and countries and imperils the development and rights of countless children."

Unfortunately the problem of crime amongst youth can be seen in every country, regardless of economic status. I have to wonder first and foremost where all of these children's parents are. I realize some may be orphans and some children's parents may be struggling to survive, but where are all of the other children's parents. After all it is their responsibility to provide a home, love, and care for these children. I agree that countries need to invest in their youth, because the youth are the future; the future doctors, lawyers, rulers, and teachers. If the children are raised to be criminals then they will see this as the "social norm" and raise their children to be criminals. The first step to helping these children is providing an education. Without an education how will these children develop the skills to find and work jobs? If we can educated the youth of the world than maybe we can stop the cycle of poverty. Yes, the youth committing crimes is a social problem, but the fact that the lack of concern from parents, or the lack of resources offered from the government are some of the few the driving forces behind these hardships is an even bigger social problem; if we can stand together to help the world's adolescents than maybe we can change the world for the better. By giving these adolescents an outlet to mature in and a better opportunity structure we can prevent their desperation that leads to committing such crimes.

Source:
Grim Prospects, Crime Hold Back World's Youth: UN


Grim prospects, crime hold back world's youth: un. (2011, February 25). Retrieved from http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/ariticle/ALeqM5hD3g3Dhj49An115z9YtK22z58qMg?docId=CNG.99868blecc4e65dad00cb9c958f4949c.fl