Curfew Debate: Reasons For and Against

One good issue for an academic debate is whether or not curfew is advantageous especially among the youth. But, is it really beneficial or disadvantageous? Let us examine the various pertinent arguments.

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The following are some possible reasons for the stand that curfew is advantageous:

1. Curfew deters and prevents the propagation of the “negative youth culture” in which challenging the law is seen as desirable and gang membership an aspiration. Curfew is a form of “zero tolerance policing,” demonstrating that the involved community does not welcome an atmosphere of lawlessness.

2. In many communities, the so-called youth crime is fast becoming a major and growing problem, often involving both drugs and violence. Imposing curfews on youth can help to solve these problems, as it keeps young people off the street, and thus out of trouble, and prevents people with bad intentions from congregating in the hours of darkness.

3. Curfews, especially on minors, can protect the vulnerable children and youth from crimes, accidents, bad habits, and corrupting influences, especially that not all parents are responsible. Part of government’s obligation is to ensure that neglected children are not prone to crimes and other evil scenarios.

4. Curfew allows the youth to be in their respective home just where they are better off doing school assignments, helping their respective parents and siblings, and interacting with the rest of their families.

The following, on the other hand, are some possible reasons for the position that curfew is disadvantageous:

1. It seems harsh, unkind, and unethical to criminalize the youth’s mere presence in some public places.

2. Curfew implies that once charged even for flimsy reasons, the youth will have criminal record which might harm their future opportunities for employment. Possibly, curfew could thus increase social deprivation and desperation, things which also breed crime.

3. Curfew can be a hindrance to fruitful academic endeavors. For what if students have to stay out late for school-related activities?

4. Implementing curfew is counterproductive especially in not-so-rich communities in the country. Curfew can preclude the youth from taking nocturnal occupations or the students from having part-time jobs after school hours. Especially nowadays, various jobs (like those related to call center agencies) inevitably require working at night … continue reading

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