Punishment VS Rehabilitation

Nicole Kidman says Hollywood contributes to violence against women. So do other forms of media including the news. 24 hour reporting pounds it in over and over again and there will be those who are drawn to some of the ideas presented.

We all know the story about putting cookies in front of a child and stressing the fact that the cookies are not to be eaten. As soon as Mom’s back is turned the child gets the cookies. The cookies were not a stand-out issue until the Mother called attention to them and made them taboo. That is how society works. We are bombarded by all of the things that are taboo. A sixth grade bully is supposed to understand that none of the actions are acceptable to sexually decimate anyone who crosses him. The information can’t be erased from his brain. We supplied it and we are horrified when he uses it.

It’s the same with teen sex. It’s part of life but we have put such emphasis on making it taboo that this has become a big issue. Part of it is growing up and a large part of it is rebellion to make adults squeal.

Adults are not immune either. There are so many stories with twists and turns. The more unique and bizarre are the most newsworthy. There are small things that may be a simple as a kiss during a moment of opportunity. Downplaying these issues would make a positive difference in the safety and well-being of the nation but that is not the top priority.

Forbidden sex is a huge and profitable business. Who really wants to put a stop to it? Everyone from home security to companies that make tracking devices are making money. Lawmakers know where to invest personal funds. Jessica Lunsford was the multi-billion dollar baby and many fortunes were amassed. We continue to improve marketing of dead children and politicians use sex offenders to leap frog their way to higher office. We have proven that dead children are more valuable than live ones.

We have asked for prevention and have been given registration; there is still no child that can be pointed out as saved by the registry. The Justice Department’s study shows a recidivism rate of about 5%. Texas has a rate of less than 3% and CA is 3. 21%. I have never heard a politician even acknowledge this study.

But the registry works to their benefit. In the rare instance where a violent crime has been committed by a registrant all eyes are glued to the news. Every step authorities make is reported and everyone encountered along the path of the manhunt gets his 15 minutes of fame. When the culprit is caught we have a new set of heroes. The true heroes would be those that prevent such incidents but there is no fame and no glory in prevention. The manhunt sets the nation on fire with outrage and there is a stampede to pass more laws.

Counseling for all victims would be a good way to interrupt the cycle of abuse. We don’t do that because there are claims it will diminish the incident. Wouldn’t that be our goal? To diminish until it is no longer an issue would keep children from growing up to become offenders.

Every student, beginning in kindergarten, should have ongoing lessons in avoiding unwanted touches. By middle school sex education, birth control and the laws should be added. Education will take the victimization out of consensual sex.

We punish to destroy. How about rehabilitation for success? And how about making the rehabilitation an equal opportunity for males and females? Success is education so we do have the leverage to keep kids in school. This vengeance kick is quickly turning us into a welfare nation and it isn’t just the kids. There are many adults that need additional skills to make it in today’s world. Do we feed all of these people who step outside the law or do we give them seeds and teach them to feed themselves?