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Valuing Childhood Children who commit horrible crimes appear to act of their own will. Yet, as legal proceedings in Jonesboro showed, the one boy who was able to address the court couldnt begin to explain his acts, though he tried to apologize. There may have been a motiveyouthful jealousy and resentment. But a deeper question remains: Why did these boys and others in similar trouble apparently lack any inner, moral restraint? Redemption is a practical necessity. How can value be restored to young lives distorted .by acts of violence? The boys in Jonesboro and in Chicago will be confined in institutions for a relatively short time. Despite horror at what was done, children are not cannot be dealt with as adults, not if a people wants to consider itself civilized. Thats why politicians cries for adult treatment of youthful criminals ultimately miss the point. Schools, too, have a role in building character. So do youth organizations. So do law enforcement agencies, which can do more to inform the young about laws, their meaning, and their observance . 31 The two boys in Chicago were B murdered. D sentenced. A right and wrong. C shame. 33 According to politicians, when children commit crimes, they should be treated in the same way as B criminals. | 
