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

[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...