Resolve that criminal liability be lowered to 13 years old

A world where crime rates are continuously rising, even minors are doing crimes nowadays
minors ranging from 12-15 years old. That’s why the proposal of lowering the criminal liability to
13 years old is introduced, to lessen minors' growing illegal actions.
There are options in this matter wherein some people disagree with the proposal that the
criminal liability should be lowered to 13 years old, although there’s another option that includes
people who actually agree with this proposal, I also agree with this proposal. But the real
question is can it really make a difference?

Let’s learn about why people agree or disagree with this law that has been proposed.
Some people agree with this because most crimes of minors are usually connected to underage
drinking, this can cause implications that may not show up in a child’s life ( L Robinson and M.A.
M Smith 2023 February 27). Another offense usually made by minors is underage smoking,
mostly 12.5% of students, 18.3% of boys, and 6.9% of girls currently used any tobacco products
( GYTS 14 April 2021). Shoplifting is an offense also created by minors, research shows as much
as 25% of arrested shoplifters are in their teens ( Kidadl Team 18 October 2022). Maybe lowering
the criminal liability might be effective after all.

People also disagree with this because they think that minors should not be punished early for these
criminal offenses. Because there is a lack of evidence and data that children are responsible for
the increase in crime rates committed ( Unicef 18 January 2019). Some also believe that
lowering the age of criminal responsibility is against a child’s rights. Minors can learn by being
disciplined and not being introduced to illegal offenses. Instead of lowering the criminal liability
consult them.

In conclusion, I still go with my choice that the criminal liability should be lowered to 13 years
old, so that minors can learn from their past mistakes and become better persons in the near
future. Minors should know the consequences of illegal offenses. Underage drinking or smoking
is an unhealthy habit, which can cause diseases. We should always guide ourselves on the right
path to becoming better persons.

References:
Underage drinking of minors ( L Robinson and M.A. M Smith 2023 February 27)
https://r.search.yahoo.com/
_ylt=Awr1TVsaheNkFT4XQ9KzRwx.;_ylu=Y29sbwNzZzMEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/
RV=2/RE=1692661147/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.helpguide.org%2farticles
%2faddictions%2funderage-drinking.htm/RK=2/RS=fJdbt6zUVvbqO0K_4A1E8YFu5GI-

Underage smoking of minors ( GYTS 14 April 2021)

https://r.search.yahoo.com/
_ylt=AwrProJCheNkIC0YBgKzRwx.;_ylu=Y29sbwNzZzMEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/
RV=2/RE=1692661186/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fdoh.gov.ph%2fsites%2fdefault%2ffiles
%2fpublications%2fPhilippines%2520GYTS%25202019%2520Factsheet%2520%2528Ages
%252013-15%2529.pdf/RK=2/RS=BIKNv6Vo2Xb72_w2AzObEffQ0b0-

Shoplifting of minors( Kidadl Team 18 October 2022)

https://r.search.yahoo.com/
_ylt=AwrProJqheNk3_8XnSuzRwx.;_ylu=Y29sbwNzZzMEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/
RV=2/RE=1692661227/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fkidadl.com%2fparents%2ftips%2fteen-
shoplifter-what-to-do-when-your-child-starts-stealing/RK=2/
RS=Eyhmkais3kUH1Qd38143NoS4bkM-

Lowering the criminal responsibility is against a child’s rights( Unicef 18 January 2019)
https://r.search.yahoo.com/
_ylt=Awrx.5uLheNkmTIXvLqzRwx.;_ylu=Y29sbwNzZzMEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/
RE=1692661259/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.unicef.org%2fphilippines%2fpress-releases
%2flowering-age-criminal-responsibility-against-child-rights-unicef/RK=2/
RS=OxHGwNd9rBv657yCwRzuz2TQaSU-

Hynix Krysten R. Lacson 11- St. Raphael