Our Greatest Natural Resource: Children

“Idle hands are the devil’s tools.” This old saying is just as relevant today as it was when it was first quoted. Children, juveniles, are especially susceptible to mischief if they are left unattended to their own devices. The fact that children commit crimes is not new. In the late nineteenth century, in the days of the wild west, a teenager by the name of William Bonney was making a name for himself in the annals of crime. William Bonney, better known by his nickname “Billy the Kid”, was well-versed in crime before he turned twenty-one years old. What makes juvenile crime such a frightening prospect is not the fact that juvenile crime exists, but the types of crimes that are being committed. Equally frightening is the fact that more and more violent crimes are being by younger and younger children. Children in elementary schools are committing rape and murder. A few decades ago, parents were deeply alarmed if their children were caught smoking or reading lurid pulp fiction magazines. Today, parents are now fear that their “little Johnny” may toss a five-year-old from a fourteen story window for not agreeing to steal some candy (Bender 16).

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Sports, like jobs, can teach children teamwork and responsibility. Most cities have community league sports for children of all ages. On the average neighborhood pee-wee football team, there are few, if any, “bench warmers. For juveniles, engaging in sports can be an excellent safety valve. Organizations such as Big Brothers-Big Sisters provide mental and spiritual nourishment to potentially troubled youth. Active sports can be an outlet and a normalizer (Means 13). To ensure that juveniles are kept well clear of the path of crime, positive intervention is needed. Children who become professional athletes later in life as adults become role models for future children. If they fail, the future grows dim. Finally, most part time jobs come with special perks: free or discounted food from the restaurant job; free movie admissions or free movie rentals from the movie theatre or video store, respectively; discounts on clothing from the trendy clothing store.

Full time sports are another excellent diversion from delinquent activities.

For older teenagers, part time employment can be an excellent diversion from delinquent activities. Instead of arguing about the exact number of “little Johnnies” who are committing crimes, experts need to be more concerned with finding solutions to keep future “little Johnnies” from committing crime in the first place. These adult volunteers help children in practically every area of the children’s lives. Some schools provide tutors for children who may have learning difficulties.

Common topics in this essay:
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Approximate Word count = 1107
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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