Juveniles Serving Life Without Parole

Abstract

Serving life without parole for committing a violent crime is not unusual for an adult criminal, but what if your 13 years old! Today, over 1,700 teens are serving life without the possibility of parole. Knowing why teens choose to commit violent crimes may help curb this trend of violence. Data research of 15 teens, ages 13 - 17, show that parents who are neglectful or uninvolved with their children, will most likely seek acceptance with peers, gangs, or with negative outside influences. Parental involvement is vital in raising and nurturing a child, but when parents are "bad" themselves or don't take time or care enough, they risk their teen being doomed to suffer the consequences of crimes they may commit.