How has public opinion on juvenile crime changed over time?

Public opinion on juvenile crime has shifted over time, with a growing trend towards harsher punishments for juveniles. Historically, juvenile crimes were seen as the product of bad parenting or difficult home environments, and thus often resulted in leniency toward juvenile offenders. Over the last several decades, as the public has become more aware of the potential dangers young criminals can pose, attitudes have become much more punitive. Studies have found that public opinion overwhelmingly supports the idea of treating juveniles convicted of serious offenses as adults in some cases, with a majority also favoring the imposition of fines, restitution and lengthy probation periods. As the public becomes more aware of the risks posed by juvenile offenders, lawmakers have responded by introducing changes to legislation to address the issue. In California, for example, the juvenile justice system has become increasingly focused on rehabilitation rather than incarceration, and the state’s juvenile crime laws now provide for more severe punishment for more serious crimes. This shift in public opinion and subsequent changes in legislation have been seen as a necessary response to the rise in juvenile crime, and represent a marked shift in the way juvenile offenders are viewed and treated.

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How has public opinion on juvenile crime changed over time?

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