Incarcerated Teen Parents

The youth prison system in Phoenix Arizona recently began a program to teach their incarcerated teenage fathers how to be better parents. Their 12 week program teaches both the teens and their toddlers about empathy, communication, and compromise, to help prevent the development of violence later in life.

One person commented on an article about the program saying "Don't encourage them to breed." I understand that most of the public is ignorant about such things, but let me take this opportunity to inform you that a large percentage of incarcerated teens are already parents. And those who find themselves in the juvenile jail system will be released before they are legal adults. Those who have been convicted of the most violent crimes will still be released by the age of 21. So the likelihood of them becoming parents at some point is very high.

Consequently, regardless of how you may feel about the current laws regarding teen offenders, isn't it better to educate them about how to be a successful parent? In my experience, even the toughest looking teen offenders can feel deep and enduring love for their children. And just like the rest of us, most of them want their children to grow up happy and healthy. Why not give them an opportunity to turn their life around for the sake of their children?

Agree or Disagree?