One of the challenges faced by society is how to deal with children (legally defined as those under the age of 18) who commit horrifying crimes. Should they be treated as adults, or should they be treated differently because they are children? For this discussion, you will consider how such cases should be handled based on the developmental theories outlined in the chapter.

First, read about these two cases, at opposite ends of the spectrum of age of those who committed the crimes (feel free to read sources beyond these, they're intended as a starting point):

The James Bulger case, in which two boys aged 9 and 10 years old at the time of the crime murdered a two year old boy:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2006/12/04/local_history_bulger_feature.shtml

The Columbine case, in which a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old murdered 12 people at their high school before committing suicide; our focus is on the 17-year-old, since the 18-year-old is considered a legal adult:

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-04-13-columbine-myths_N.htm

This chapter outlines several theories that address child development in terms of moral, social, and emotional development, as well as the role of parents. Read about these theories; then, discuss what roleone of these theories might play in how society should handle. Be specific, and consider how the theory can help us understand children in these circumstances, what it tells us about children at different ages such as those in the examples above, and what recommendation you might make, based on the theory, about whether (or at what age) such people should be treated as adults. Feel free to find authoritative* outside sources if you wish to bolster your point. Then, respond to two of your fellow students.

IMPORTANT: I'm sure all of you have strong opinions on these issues. Your opinions are not to be the subject of this discussion; rather the focus should be on what the science suggests society should do. The tone should be civil and objective.

Your response to the question should be around least 250 words in length,

The book we using for this course experience psychology 2nd edition laura king this DB for CH 8 (Human Development)