Impact of Adult Sentencing on Minors

Social Work with Families

Part 1

The story of Cyntoia Brown-Long is an inspiring one. However, she does not begin life in the best of ways. Brown-Long demonstrates resiliency in the face of challenges. Her ability to rise above her circumstance and overcome the barriers placed on her by the system is genuinely inspiring, and it demonstrates that minors should never be tried as adults. Brown-Long had to work on herself by herself, which was quite tasking. Good thing she was determined to overcome the barriers placed on her by the system. However, others face the same trials, and without assistance, they never reform. Therefore, we should stop the practice of trying minors as adults regardless of the crime committed.

The juvenile justice system failed from the start. When Brown-Long kept being shuttled from one facility to another, it demonstrated that she needed mental health assistance, which was never offered. Understanding why she behaved the way she did and trying to help her could have prevented her from escaping and having to live on the streets. Due to the systemic failures of the juvenile system, Brown-Long was forced into sex trafficking while still a minor, and her shooting and killing of 43-year-old Johnny might have been her way to escape from her situation. She was defending herself because everyone was abusing her, and no-one genuinely cared for her.

Part 2

If a parent fears losing their child due to their mental illness, they are less likely to seek treatment, worsening their condition and eventual loss of the child. However, if social workers can inform the parent about what will happen and become advocates for the families’ parents will be willing to undergo treatment, knowing they will eventually be reunited with their child once they recover. The social worker’s goal is to ensure the parent and child are reunited. Though the statistics state otherwise, it is better to try and fail than never to try at all.