I mean accountability is fine, but if someone was under the age of 18, and especially under the age of 15 you can’t hold him accountable for the rest of his life. Middle schoolers are dumb. That’s why we don’t let them vote.
And middle schoolers? 8th graders? Wow. That is an age when everyone is trying to fit in and find their place in a pack or herd. It’s still a form of mimicking the behavior and attitude of their peers or crowd or even perceived friends.
Kids are really stupid and impressionable at this age. They rapidly learn from lots of mistakes. They learn about social interaction, relationships, leadership.....
This is why the urban culture that some inner city kids grow up in is so damaging, especially when there is no guidance in the home. Instead of learning that certain behavior is unacceptable, hurtful or dangerous, it is encouraged, embraced and emulated. My son recently asked about the “C” word (he’s 11). He knew it was bad (based on context and reaction) and has never used it (allegedly). But wanted to know why it was bad. Inner city kids, in that thug culture, don’t have anyone to ask.
I expect we are ruing the day we allowed 18 yr. olds to vote!
21 seems like a stretch to me!