Stop Your Kid From Becoming A Young Offender

BAD BOYZ

BB is the pen name of a 16-year-old who has been in and out of custody for a variety of offenses. He is currently serving a lengthy sentence for armed robbery and wrote the three pieces while in a secure custody facility. Workers were frustrated with him, stating that ‘He will not participate in counseling,’ ‘He does not want to get out of trouble,’ and ‘Good luck working with him.’ BB has a history of a severely alcoholic mother, domestic violence followed by the departure of his father from his family, witnessing and then becoming heavily involved in drug and alcohol abuse and violent behavior. He makes it appear as if he knows very little and has spent a lot of effort convincing others that he is stupid, mostly responding to questions with ‘I don’t know.’ This is the same guy who can make college-level presentations in class. BB, therefore, initially did not want to talk much about himself in a direct fashion, so he was asked ‘How does one stop a young offender?’ After this write-up, he wanted to create a piece on ‘Young Offender Cupcakes’ and later suggested ‘A Letter To Papa’ with a noticeable sarcastic tinge to it. The themes carried throughout these 3 writings are very common among the young offender population and are critical in our understanding of how they end up hurting others and eventually behind bars.

 

STOP YOUR KID FROM BECOMING A YOUNG OFFENDER

 

    Show ‘em your love with hugs and pats on the back

        Give ‘em a good father figure

   Share good times and good advice

    Be fair, honest and care

         

Occupy ‘em with sports teams, chores and jobs

Get ‘em to exercise and be in shape

Teach ‘em to be a good friend attracts good friends

Help ‘em get to know how to get around

 

Don’t give ‘em drugs and alcohol

Don’t hit ‘em or yell at ‘em…talk calmly

Show ‘em the rules and consequences

Don’t let ‘em “get out of” the punishment

 

Keep ‘em in school

Help ‘em with homework and make sure it gets done

Don’t let ‘em trick ya

Or come home for suspension

 

Spend time together as a family, play games,

Just sit around

Talk and watch T.V.

Have dinner together

 

Challenge ‘em to do well

Keep the promises you make

Show ‘em respect

Always treat ‘em with love and dignity

 

BAD BOYZ