When Children under 18 are Committing a Crime they should be Punished - IELTS Writing Task 2

Juvenile crimes have been on the rise due to a lack of judicial punishment against them. As a result, the question of how society should deal with these offenders is one of the most debated ethical and legal issues today. Some believe young people should face punishment to discourage future offences, while others argue that education and rehabilitation are more effective. This difference in opinion is discussed in the IELTS agree-disagree topic, When Children under 18 are Committing a Crime they should be Punished, one of the most common essay types in IELTS Writing Task 2. 

In this blog, we examine sample answers for the IELTS agree-disagree essay on the topic ‘When Children under 18 are Committing a Crime they should be Punished, along with an outline and relevant IELTS vocabulary, which is crucial for achieving a high band score.

Essay Question for 'When Children under 18 are Committing a Crime they should be Punished'

Outline for IELTS Agree & Disagree Essay

Given below is the outline that will help you to understand how to write agree-disagree essays in IELTS.

Sample Answers for When Children under 18 are Committing a Crime they should be Punished IELTS Writing Task 2

There are three IELTS Band 9 essay samples on the topic, The Main Purpose of Public Libraries is to Provide Books, given below that will guide you on how to write a high-scoring essay on your own.

When Children under 18 are Committing a Crime they should be Punished - Sample Answer 1

While some people believe that children under 18 who commit crimes should primarily receive education and rehabilitation, others argue that punishment is essential to maintain justice and social order. I agree that minors who break the law should face appropriate punishment, as it helps instill responsibility, discourage repeat offences, and uphold the moral fabric of society.

To begin with, if young offenders escape punishment entirely, it sends the wrong message about personal accountability and civic duty. Without facing consequences, minors may develop the belief that illegal actions are insignificant or easily excused. This mindset not only encourages further delinquency but also weakens the rule of law. For instance, in certain regions where juvenile justice systems adopt overly lenient policies, there has been a rise in youth gang violence and petty theft, as adolescents feel emboldened by the lack of serious repercussions. Therefore, proportionate punishment reinforces the idea that every individual, regardless of age, is responsible for their actions.

Furthermore, punishment does not necessarily equate to severe incarceration. It can take constructive and reformative forms such as community service, counselling, or behavioural therapy. These corrective measures strike a balance between discipline and moral education. By being held accountable in a structured and humane way, young offenders are more likely to reflect on their mistakes and cultivate empathy and social awareness. For example, engaging juvenile delinquents in public service projects has proven to reduce reoffending rates, as it allows them to contribute positively to the communities they once harmed.

In conclusion, although education and rehabilitation are crucial, some level of punishment remains necessary. When applied fairly and proportionately, corrective penalties help minors internalize moral values, develop a sense of accountability, and ultimately contribute to a safer and more just society.

When Children under 18 are Committing a Crime they should be Punished - Sample Answer 2

Cases of juveniles committing crimes are on the rise lately. While it is absolutely necessary to punish those guilty of committing crimes, an argument put forward in this case suggests underage criminals should be made aware of their actions rather than being punished straightaway. This essay shall discuss the extent of feasibility of both solutions in the interest of the society.

Over the last few years, there has been a worrying increase in the numbers of young offenders being reported, where many of them are involved in instances of burglaries, robberies, shoplifting and even street muggings. In the hostile environment that we live in, it becomes necessary to nip such problems in the bud, lest the youngsters become full-fledged criminals when they grow up. Many believe that the children of today’s generation are very much aware and intelligent than the ones 30 years ago and comprehend the actions around them. Many a times they aren’t even remorseful for their actions. Therefore, they should be tried in courts as adults and punished according to the severity of the offence regardless of them being underage.

In contrast, a lot of people also believe that such treatment of teenage offenders might not be the best solution. Knowing the reason behind the crime committed is an essential factor in deciding the punishment to be given. The environment during the upbringing of a child too influences his mentality to a great extent. Most of the research cases in this matter have indicated that children who commit crimes mostly do so because of some trauma they have themselves suffered from in the past. It is only logical that the judgement of right and wrong of such children becomes impaired; therefore, they should be educated about the same and not punished. Rehabilitating them and flushing all aggression from their minds is giving them a deserved chance to live a better life, as they still have a lot of growing up to do.

To conclude, this being a sensitive and debatable issue, in my opinion, I feel the primary course of action for underage criminals is to provide them guidance regarding the consequences of their actions. I don’t fully agree with not punishing them at all; the extent of the punishment should be decided by the circumstances and the attitude of the offender, whether he is penitent or not.

When Children under 18 are Committing a Crime they should be Punished - Sample Answer 3

Many argue that children under 18 who commit crimes should face punishment similar to adults, while others maintain that education and rehabilitation are more appropriate responses. I strongly disagree with the idea of punishing minors in the same way as adults and firmly believe that they should be guided, educated, and rehabilitated instead.

Firstly, children and adolescents lack the moral and psychological maturity to fully comprehend the consequences of their behaviour. Neuroscientific studies indicate that the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for judgment, decision-making, and impulse control, remains underdeveloped until the early twenties. Consequently, holding minors wholly accountable for their crimes, as if they were adults, is both ethically and scientifically unjustifiable. For example, nations such as Norway and Sweden prioritise counselling, restorative justice, and community-based rehabilitation for juvenile offenders. Their approach has resulted in remarkably low rates of reoffending and demonstrates that compassion and education can be more effective than retribution.

Secondly, severe punishment often reinforces rather than eradicates criminal tendencies. When young offenders are placed in punitive environments such as detention centres, they are exposed to negative influences and may develop resentment towards authority. This experience can further alienate them from society. In contrast, structured educational and psychological programs that focus on moral reasoning, empathy, and vocational skills help juveniles rebuild their sense of identity and purpose. By learning discipline through guidance rather than fear, these individuals are more likely to reintegrate successfully and contribute positively to their communities.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that education and rehabilitation should take precedence over punishment for minors. By emphasising guidance, empathy, and reform instead of retribution, societies can nurture responsible, law-abiding citizens and promote long-term social harmony.

Vocabulary to Use for When Children under 18 are Committing a Crime they should be Punished - IELTS Writing Task 2

Given below is a list of good vocabulary words to use in an IELTS essay related to the topic, ‘When Children under 18 are Committing a Crime they should be Punished’, that can be used in your sample answers and will help you boost your vocabulary for similar essay topics.

To conclude, in IELTS Task 2 essays about crime and punishment, balance emotional reasoning with factual support. Use examples from real-world systems or logical reasoning, maintain a consistent position, and include precise vocabulary to demonstrate lexical range. So, consistently practicing IELTS Writing practice tests can improve your writing skills and help you achieve a Band 7+ score.

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