Findings on Teenage Brain

In Paul Thompson’s article “Startling Finds on Teenage brains” states that research has shown that the teenage brain is far from adulthood. Therefore why should juveniles be charge as adult when there brain is still in the process of developing? Teens who committed murder should not be thrown in jail due to their undeveloped brain. One of the biggest finding about the teenage brain is that massive loss brain tissue occurs in teen years. Teens make impulsive decisions and this decision should not be held against them. However they should still be held accountable for their actions.  

Life sentence towards juveniles violate the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Teens should be given a chance to redeem themselves even if they committed a crime. The teenage brain is not like an adult who can control their impulsive behavior. As teen age through experience their brain is developing. Therefore they should not put in jail for life because they still need experience. Once they gain enough experience they will understand the extent of their actions. Teens should still be definitely be punished. A reasonable punishment could set them on the right path.

There are plenty of factors and reason why teens commit this crime. It could be there environment, culture and peers. Therefore, we should look into their background when deciding on their punishment. Deciding just base on their actions is very unreasonable. Teenagers was probably engage in peer pressure and this is one the big factor of crimes around the world. This teenagers who couldn’t resist peer pressure are definitely have an undeveloped brain. Therefore teens should not be charged as an adult especially sentencing them in jail for life without the chance of parole.