Juvenile Justice or Is It

Nivia Wilson

Prof. O’Connell

Persuasive speech

May 1,2006

Teaching A Buncha Hooligans

A young female teacher was giving an assignment to her 6th grade class one day. It was a large assignment so she started writing high up on the chalkboard. Suddenly there was a giggle from one of the boys in the class. She quickly turned and asked, "What's so funny, Pat?"

"I just saw one of your garters!"

"Get out of my classroom," she yells, "I don't want to see you for three days!"

The teacher turns back to the chalkboard. Realizing she had forgotten to title the assignment, she reaches to the very top of the chalkboard. Suddenly there is an even louder giggle from another male student. She quickly turns and asks, "What's so funny, Billy?"

"I just saw both of your garters!"

Again, she yells, "Get out of my classroom! This time the punishment is more severe, I don't want to see you for three weeks!"

Embarrassed and frustrated, she drops the eraser when she turns around again. and bends over to pick it up. This time there is a burst of laughter from another male student. She quickly turns to see Little Johnny leaving the classroom.

"Where do you think you're going?" she asks.

"From what I just saw, my school days are over!"

Your son cuts a class. My son stabs a woman. Your son has a fresh mouth. My son has a violent history of drug abuse. Your son has missed to many days in school. My son is an active gang member.

The phone rings. Its Judge Friendlich from Family Court." Do you have any open beds? Yes we do "Ok then, can someone come on down to the court house we have a child in need of Placement?" "Sure we will be right down." That's where it all starts.

From as young as thirteen to as old as twenty-one. Assaults, fighters, drug abusers

Mixed with neglect petitions and a host of other charges the possibilities are endless.

Although these charges are real and at times can be very hard to stomach depending on the

Details given in their individual files. The one fact remains these are children.

Working in the juvenile justice system has really had some impact on the way I view

Our legal system, as well as the way parenting has become so relaxed. Let me take you on

The inside. I work in a group home for emotionally disturbed juvenile delinquent boy's ages

13 -21. I have been in this field for about a 2years now when you work in the human service field it

Is hard