1/3 of Young US Adults Have Been Arrested

[Forgiven]

2011-12-19
Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Close to one in three American teens and young adults get arrested by age 23, according to a new study that finds more of them are being booked now than in the 1960s.

Those arrests are for everything from underage drinking and petty theft to violent crime, researchers said. They added that the increase might not necessarily reflect more criminal behavior in youth, but rather a police force that's more apt to arrest young people than in the past.

"The vast majority of these kids will never be arrested again," said John Paul Wright, who studies juvenile delinquency at the University of Cincinnati's Institute of Crime Science, but wasn't involved in the new study.

"The real serious ones are embedded in the bigger population of kids who are just picking up one arrest," he told Reuters Health.

Though violent crimes might be on the rarer end of the spectrum of offenses, the study's lead author pointed to the importance of catching early warning signs of criminal behavior in adolescents and young adults, saying that pediatricians and parents can both play a role in turning those youngsters around.

"We urge that parents who are concerned about their kids' well-being, that they get those kids in to see a pediatrician on a regular basis so the pediatrician can do the things they're trained to do."

KSUT: One-third of young U.S. adults have been arrested: study (2011-12-19)

[LivnForChrist]

praying for our youth.

[dave-o]

Get them to a doctor for what? Therapy? Drugs?

Oh yeah, that will help.

What else could happen when nearly every form of Pop-Culture entertainment drills it into their heads that if they're not getting drunk and having random sex by age 14 they must be a complete loser.

[Momof3angels]

I was initially shocked when I read this report. One third? Seriously?

But then again, why should anyone be surprised considering the number of celebrities who get arrested and spend time in jail. Everyone from Paris Hilton to Keifer Sutherland, and it didn't seem to hurt their careers one little bit.

And these are our kids' role models. How sad...

[readyforhome]

Yeah, popular culture doesn't help one bit. I know for a fact that there were far more people in my junior high who were NOT virgins rather than the opposite. This was also 27 years ago, and things have only gotten more serious. You were uncool if you hadn't had sex, never mind the consequences... I think there was one girl who had gotten pregnant in my last year there. We had one "riot" at my junior high and one kid brought an unloaded handgun. Obviously things have gotten worse in that there have actually been shootings at schools.

[SteveJM]

2 Timothy 3
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

[livin_in_the_Son]

I was initially shocked when I read this report. One third? Seriously?

But then again, why should anyone be surprised considering the number of celebrities who get arrested and spend time in jail. Everyone from Paris Hilton to Keifer Sutherland, and it didn't seem to hurt their careers one little bit.
And these are our kids' role models. How sad...

I kinda agree that celebrities can be a bad influence, but as a mother myself, I'm gonna lay this problem at the feet of the parents. My neighbor has a 17 yr old who spent time in jail this summer for bashing another kid's face in with a lead pipe. The parents both work, and leave all their kids without proper supervision. So can t.v. be to blame for this? More likely the parents' own lacksidasical involvement in their children's lives. Too many parents now say "oh boys will be boys", or that teenagers 'need to make their own mistakes'. Instead of arming our children with the cold reality, they prefer to be 'cool parents' so that they get some vicarious thrill out of their kids popularity. I would prefer my children have a friend sure, but not at the sake of their well-being.

Adults now-a-days are failing our children by not being proper role models. If we actually raise our own children, instead of letting t.v., or their peers, or school teachers, or day cares do it....the next generation wouldn't be lacking so much moral character as what I see everyday.

[froggy]

They added that the increase might not necessarily reflect more criminal behavior in youth, but rather a police force that's more apt to arrest young people than in the past.

While I agree that things are definitely not getting better---the reason above has to have some bearing on the statistics. Kiss a girl on the playground in 2nd grade and get arrested for sexual assault, just threatening to "get" someone back for ruining your PB+J sandwich will probably get you arrested too these days. The authorities refuse to deal with the really violent monsters out there in any effective way and choose instead to persecute the average citizen for not crossing their "t"s. What an upside down world we live in!

[SonSeeker]

Frankly I think this article is much ado about nothing. The article does state that the vast majority are first time offenders who will never see the inside of a cell again.

How many of us on this forum fall into this category? I know of at least one.

[SteveJM]

Though violent crimes might be on the rarer end of the spectrum of offenses, the study's lead author pointed to the importance of catching early warning signs of criminal behavior in adolescents and young adults, saying that pediatricians and parents can both play a role in turning those youngsters around.

Who is absent in the suggestions for help? A pediatrician? What's the idea of a solution here? Medication? Parents obviously should play a role, but how many do? Many parents will give their child the TV, video games, etc, to act as a babysitter. Sometimes it may be that in this crazy world the parents themselves are spent from all of the stresses of life, but nevertheless we must, tired or not, invest ourselves in our children, not just invest our dollars. Many of the youth of today, and for many years now, have mastered video games, but have a hard time with the sciences, language, communication, social skills, and in general what they need to be a productive member of the community. For an interesting study on video gaming here is a link-http://www.springerlink.com/content/w487673k5415k142/fulltext.html.

Today, dopamine and adrenaline produced, for example, by gaming, pornography, and sex, is a cheap high, fast food is relatively cheap, many material goods made in foreign lands are cheap, so what will motivate someone who can easily be thrilled, fed and clothed, etc, to work hard, set goals and labor? If they can find cheap housing or stay with mom and dad all the better.

To chase a rabbit here, the real cost of gaming, drugs, sex, fast food and cheap goods is huge. Ask some of the many unemployed, those who are obese, those addicted to gaming(both gambling and videos), those addicted to pornography and sex, and those with wasted lives and tortured souls what the costs are.

Many celebrities set a bad example and the "stars" of today are not much different then the "stars" of yesterday. They've been a corrupting influence for generations. Lawlessness, by many, is tolerated at best, and celebrated at worst. Someone in the movie or music industry can commit a crime, and the next thing, they're on television receiving applause from their adoring fans. Preachers can shame themselves and turn many off or away from Christianity, but all is soon forgiven, and they are soon back in leadership roles. That's not to say we shouldn't forgive. The courts often won't prosecute, and the incarcerated are released early or given probation, because of overcrowding. Many in this world, are following their masters motto-"Do what thou wilt." Satan is a rebel and so are his children. The only long lasting and real solution to the ills of society, is for the church to repent, fall on our knees, pray once again for revival in our land, and then get to work. Many, I feel, believe that by supporting their local church and pastor, they've fulfilled their obligations. Open the Bible, and you'll see how wrong that mindset is. Can it be turned around? It would truly take a miracle. The muslims think they have the answer, the Roman Catholics think they have it, as do the members of Tea Party, the Democrats, Republicans, Socialists, and the list goes on and on. I don't believe that you're going to solve this problem by legislation or coercion. It's going to take a heart changing event in the lives of the people, and that event is the new birth in Jesus Christ. For as much as the true church(those who have been born again), is maligned by the world, this world as we know it would have never made it this far without the working of the Holy Spirit through the Church. Without the Church and the working of the Holy Spirit, this would be an absolutely miserable place to be. Remove the salt from the world and what do you have? Perhaps that is part of what we're seeing. The influence of the church in society is becoming weaker, and the influence of the world in the Church is becoming greater. The end result is an increase in a number of evils including lawlessness. That of course is a broad generalization as there are still many local congregations who are plenty salty, and I mean that in a good way.

What will help the youth is a praying parent or parents, family members and friends who will invest themselves in others. The best help for all of us? Is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Then with the love of God in our heart and the spirit of God dwelling within us, we will love our neighbor as our self, we will care for the widows, the poor and hungry. We will then have direction and purpose. We'll see the merit in being a law abiding citizen. Then, what has been a fruitless search for significance will be over, for if we can have a relationship with our creator, we are complete. A lot of people today feel insignificant, they try to fill that hole inside with a variety of amusements, and attention getting acts. Some have given up completely in trying to fill it. Only a relationship with our creator will forever fill that hole.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Ezekiel 33:11
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Romans 10:8-15
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Signed-SteveJM, a.k.a. The rambling rabbit chaser.