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I am asking the question about why we consider 18 the age of adulthood and not the age of 25 when brain development is complete. I would like input from anyone who has worked with children, teenagers and even adults with  ACE's as this does affect thought and behavior. 

Washington State legislators are being asked to consider a bill that eliminates life without the possibility of parole  (LWOP) or "virtual life" (over 20 years) for those sentenced under the age of 18. I addressed with the attorney writing the bill the idea of making the cut off age 25 based on the scientific data that the brain does not complete development until around the age of 25. I brought up the very common knowledge, that a very large percentage of people sentenced to prison under the age of 25 had been exposed to ACE's in their lives and that played a role in their actions. I shared that not only are those under the age of 25 the most receptive to rehabilitation, have lower recidivism rates with education but the long term effects of ACE's are, with support, reversible. Yet we make 18 the cut off .. what is different between an 18 and 19 year old or even an 18 and 21 year old ? .. maybe by 25 we are able to think different but having a 21 year old son myself I see that he is in no way able sometimes, to put rational thinking behind some of the experiences that cause emotional responses and he has had a very calm and uneventful childhood compared with others. 

His challenge to me was to get what opinions and information I could from professionals and experts in the field that could be shared with the legislators that could convince them that what I believe in is rational ... So I would appreciate any and all input !!!! 

Thank you in advance 

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Loren,

I just saw your post. I agree with your points completely. Happily, so do many working in the justice field. Check out the website of the Justice Policy Institute - I've pasted a link to one piece on that site that is specific to the role of trauma in adolescent criminal activity. Once you're on the site, just search for "childhood trauma" and you'll find lots of material. I haven't spent time in that world for awhile, but my memory is that they do address the brain development issue - I don't think they make an argument about the designation of adulthood, but I could be wrong. I doubt that will ever change, however, due to military service issues.

Best, Kathy

http://www.justicepolicy.org/news/1912

One interesting thing to consider is that car insurance companies have much higher rates for people under 25. What do you think they're basing their info on?

 

Loren....Thank you for beginning this thoughtful discussion.  Without getting into too much science, history or politics, it's only been in the last decade or so (1990's was the decade of the brain) where the FMRI has become a scientific method of understanding brain growth, development and capacity.  We now know that our adult brains are still creating/connecting pathways to the Pre/Mid Frontal Cortex well into our 20's.  Attitudes and Laws about when children should be considered adults may take years or even decades!

Here is a question to consider.  If children become adults at 25, who will fight our wars?  Reasonable, rational, and thoughtful people may reconsider the impact violence has on other people, including family and themselves!  What about mediation, reconciliation, and compromise as a pathway to solving problems, utto..no more war machine......unless we institute the draft...

Found this online...in 1747 Dr. James Lind conducted a "clinical trial" on British Navy sailors after scurvy became a leading cause of death at sea.  He enlisted 6 pairs of men and began different treatments.  The pair that ate oranges and limes were cured within a short time.  Fifty years later, the British Navy recognized the benefit and significance of his evidence and adopted the fruit as part of their preventative medicine onboard,  (Pocock, 1982).  Do our lawmakers, policy writers and politicians understand the science behind neurobiological development and are they willing to accept it?...lets hope it doesn't take fifty years...

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