Chat Time 44 - Teenage Crimes

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Questions

1. What do you think the causes of teenage crimes might be?
   The main causes of teenage crime are home issues and acceptance. Teenagers try to forget about the unpleasant experience at home by doing bad things. They also want to be accepted by their peers, who could already be criminals.   

2. What are some ways to fight teenage crimes in Hong Kong?
   Schools should teach students how to control their anger and peacefully resolve issues. Parents should instil moral values in their children, so that they may be less likely to turn to crime as a way of gaining acceptance and self-worth.  

3. What do you think schools should do to help fight teenage crimes?
    Schools may help develop values and skills that can prevent students from engaging in criminal activities. Schools also get students more involved in sports, community service or other positive activities. Young people with positive outlets for their energy are less likely to commit crimes.

Individual Response

1. What would you do if one of your friends committed a crime?
    It really depends on the type of crime. If it is a petty crime, I would advise my friend to make amends. If it is a serious one, I would convince him to go to the police.

2. Do you think teenage crimes will continue to increase in future?
   As more and more young people grow up in poverty and in single-parent families, I’m afraid teenage crimes will continue to increase in future.

3. Do you think peer pressure plays an important role in juvenile delinquency?
   Most teenagers these days will do anything to fit into their peer group. Many teenagers think it's 'cool' to break the law. Therefore, peer pressure urges teenagers to do illegal things.

4. How would you stop teenagers in Hong Kong turning to crime?
  I think proper parenting is the key to stop teenagers turning to crime. Parents should show the children positive values, norms and standards of society. In this way, the children will be able to show the right behaviour to society.

5. Do you think it is appropriate that teenage criminals receive less punishments than adult ones?
  I think teenage criminals should be punished just as much as adult criminals because teenagers should take responsibility for their negative acts. There needs to be a deterrent effect for others that might do the same.