Stupid Kids . . . I know they stole our bikes but . . .

[OakLeaf]

Are they juveniles? I don't think the OP said they were.

[Skippyak]

In the US "kid" as a term for a young person is totally overused. kid to me is a minor.

[Veronica]

We're in our forties and my in laws still refer to us as "the kids".

Personally, I have little sympathy for those who commit crimes - no matter what the age. We live in an area that goes through periods of burglaries - many of which are drug motivated. Our school was vandalized last week; four classrooms broken into. Many items destroyed, and a few things stolen. Imagine explaining to first and second graders why they can't have school in their regular room? Probably done by kids, p!ssed off at society and the educational system. You can only help those who want help and are willing to change.

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

In the US "kid" as a term for a young person is totally overused. kid to me is a minor.

I don't think it's solely in the USA. I don't know much Italian, but one thing I hear all the time is "ragazzi" being applied to adults who are young or just young at heart.

[indysteel]

Are they juveniles? I don't think the OP said they were.

That's what I took her to mean when she said "kid." But if she was using it more generically, then nevermind. I typically only use the word kid to refer to minors. Perhaps the OP can clarify.

ETA: The way she referred to them as "stupid kids," coupled with the suggestion that they likely didn't know the value of what they stole (because they are young, perhaps) led me to believe that we are, in fact, talking about minors. But again, perhaps she can clarify.

[shootingstar]

Since we do have several lawyers in TE forum, then minor must be a legal definition in the U.S., an age benchmark.

Anyway these teenagers (since we don't know their ages) do need to have charge laid whatever it may be in the end, and understand the consequences.

[indysteel]

Since we do have several lawyers in TE forum, then minor must be a legal definition in the U.S., an age benchmark.

Anyway these teenagers (since we don't know their ages) do need to have charge laid whatever it may be in the end, and understand the consequences.

The age of majority differs from state to state, but the majority of states set it at 18. The age at which a child may be transferred into the adult criminal system also differs from state to state. I think many set it at 14. Again, this subject may be a needless tangent if the "kids" are not truly kids but young adults.

[OakLeaf]

Yeah, I guess in my usage and that of most people I know, there isn't a bright line age cut-off for who we'd call "kids," but I would say anyone under 25, particularly when they're doing stupid and criminal stuff. I think the term does have a more negative connotation than ragazzi does in Italian. (But, doesn't everyone say "college kids?" The vast majority of college students are over 18. But anyway.)

I just want to say one more thing ... if without any more information than has been posted in this thread, someone has completely written off these people as unsalvageable as human beings, I'm not going to argue about that. Whatev'. But the question of felony vs misdemeanor seems to me analogous to how you want to get rid of something you don't want in the house. Throw it away, fine. But a felony conviction is like flushing someone down the toilet. At best, you pollute the water and wind up with the residues in drinking water and irrigated soil. At worst, it backs up all over your bathroom...

[goldfinch]

Yeah, I guess in my usage and that of most people I know, there isn't a bright line age cut-off for who we'd call "kids," but I would say anyone under 25, particularly when they're doing stupid and criminal stuff. I think the term does have a more negative connotation than ragazzi does in Italian. (But, doesn't everyone say "college kids?" The vast majority of college students are over 18. But anyway.)

I just want to say one more thing ... if without any more information than has been posted in this thread, someone has completely written off these people as unsalvageable as human beings, I'm not going to argue about that. Whatev'. But the question of felony vs misdemeanor seems to me analogous to how you want to get rid of something you don't want in the house. Throw it away, fine. But a felony conviction is like flushing someone down the toilet. At best, you pollute the water and wind up with the residues in drinking water and irrigated soil. At worst, it backs up all over your bathroom...

Thanks for the emphasis of this point.

We have flushed too many people down the toilet in this country. No rehabilitation allowed.

[shootingstar]

Understanding consequences doesn't also mean writing off people as unsalvageable. So rehab is desired, community service, etc.

Far from it. And it is possible for a parent...if they wish to provide support to the delinquent teenager for the good things about the person -- without condoning/approving a criminal act. And theft is wrong, it is not a "game". Just like bullying, etc. I choose the latter behaviour as something so real among teens, which seems so small, inconsequential to some bullies, that it can affect the victim's mental health...to the point of suicide. (Several highly publicized cases in Canada within the past few months.)

So small acts crime or abuse, if left unchecked, can snowball slowly into something bigger over time.

So what should be done for teens so that there won't be a repeat in break 'n enter, theft on a bigger scale or whatever else later?

I was intrigued when my manager hired a lawyer so that her 21 yrs. old son could be defended for a drunk driving charge. Her son..has a full time job and was going to college. So not a baby. He was living at home. This was last year..

Or maybe because I don't have children but after watching my partner deal with his kids...None of them did anything criminal but some major stumbles in judgement errors and living with the consequences. We all have our stories.