legal age responsibility

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In recent years, there has been a growing debate in Australia about whether the legal accountability age should be raised from 13 to 14. Currently, children as young as 10 can be charged with a crime in Australia, and many argue that this is too young. In this article, we will examine the arguments for and against raising the legal accountability age to 14, and consider what the research tells us about the potential impact of such a change.

Arguments for raising the legal accountability age

One of the primary arguments in favor of raising the legal accountability age is that it recognizes the fact that children under the age of 14 are not fully developed mentally or emotionally, and may not fully understand the consequences of their actions. Research has shown that the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and impulse control, continues to develop throughout adolescence, and is not fully mature until the mid-20s (Casey et al., 2010). This means that children under the age of 14 may be more prone to impulsive behavior and less able to fully comprehend the consequences of their actions.

Raising the legal accountability age to 14 would also bring Australia in line with other countries, such as the United Kingdom, where the legal accountability age is 14. This would ensure that Australia is meeting its international obligations to protect the rights of children.

Arguments against raising the legal accountability age

One of the main arguments against raising the legal accountability age is that it could send the wrong message to young people, and lead to a lack of accountability for their actions. Some argue that if young people know they will not be held accountable for their actions, they may be more likely to engage in criminal behavior.

There are also concerns that raising the legal accountability age could lead to an increase in juvenile crime. Research has shown that the age of criminal responsibility has little impact on juvenile crime rates, and that other factors, such as social and economic conditions, have a much greater impact (Barnes, 2010).

What does the research say?

Research has shown that raising the legal accountability age can have a positive impact on young people. One study conducted in the United States found that raising the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18 resulted in a significant reduction in the number of young people in prison, and a corresponding increase in the number of young people in education and employment (Bishop, 2018). This suggests that raising the legal accountability age can help young people to make better choices and avoid involvement in criminal activity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there are arguments for and against raising the legal accountability age to 14 in Australia, the research suggests that such a change could have a positive impact on young people. By recognizing the fact that children under the age of 14 are not fully developed mentally or emotionally, and may not fully understand the consequences of their actions, we can help to protect their rights and give them the best chance of success in life.

References:

Barnes, G. C. (2010). The age of criminal responsibility and juvenile crime. Youth Justice, 10(1), 3-15.

Bishop, D. M. (2018). The impact of raising the age of juvenile court jurisdiction on young adult outcomes. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47(7), 1524-1538.


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