Editorials

= = = Curfews have been a very controversial topic over the past decade, with good points on both sides. But if you were or are a parent, how would you feel if you had no idea where your child was? = = In recent studies, cities with a set curfew has a 10% drop in crime in the city (articles.chicagotribune.com), which helps with the population. Also, kids //need// at least 9-10 hours of sleep every night (tweenparenting.about.com) to stay healthy. = = Placing a curfew keeps kids from doing drugs, alcohol, and other dangerous things that can get them in trouble. It also keeps kids safe from street gangs and other potentially dangerous people or groups (idebate.org). = = If they have a curfew, they can easily meet this need. And, parents will have a peace of mind knowing where their child is at night. = = Having curfews also teaches responsibility to kids who are having trouble with it. = = So now you see that curfews are important. =
 * Home Sweet Home** By: Jordan

Where’s your Kid?Dylan Think about a kid without a curfew. What do you see? That kid doing drugs, drinking, committing crimes such as vandalism? These are a few problems parents face when they don’t put a curfew on their kids.

 Cities with new set curfews saw a 10% drop in crime than when they didn’t have curfews (chicagotribune.com/2011-07-28). Along with that food for thought curfews help protect vulnerable children ( idebate.org) . This is because, in dangerous neighborhoods they are out of the trouble and are away from violence.

 Often when a child has no curfew he/she decide to start getting involved in drugs( idebate.org) . As well with crime these children without a curfew find nothing better to do after around ten o’clock. If they don’t find something better to do, they will be urged, for the sake of fun, to commit these crimes or do these drugs.

 If you haven’t decided about my first question you might want to consider it again. Or if you don’t think your child needs a curfew, consider the facts before you. Just be sure next time, before you let your kid go, ask yourself “Do they need a curfew?” That answer should be, yes.

=Out and About= By: Jillian

Going out at night and spray painting rail cars seems to be a hobby of many kids and teens. Kids need curfews because they cause more trouble at night rather than day. Curfews make the world a better place.

According to idebate.org, it seems more vandalism and drug dealing is done at night by kids while no adults are around. They do vandalism to trains, building, and benches.

Curfews teach kids a level of responsibility. They have to care for themselves and remember to be at home by a certain time. At my home, I have curfews that wouldn't usually be thought of as curfews. I have to be in bed by a certain time, I have to practice piano every night, and I have to do regular chores. I feel these "curfews" teach me responsibility because I'm doing what's expected of me and don't need to be reminded every night.

Kids should have curfews because. It makes them a better and more responsible person in life.

= =