OPINION — Do curfews keep teens out of trouble? No, and even if it did, it is limiting the freedom of young teenagers.
Even if you are a minor, you should be allowed to go where you please, and especially at whatever time they please. Using a curfew basically is limiting the rights of a minor. Overall curfews shouldn’t be implemented.
Curfews are a bad idea for these three important reasons.
First off, they completely take away a right to a teenager that should be theres (sic). Why would you not allow anyone in the most free country in the world to roam where they please at any time if it is not doing any harm?
Second off, crime happens in the day also, so limiting it to only night won’t make much drastic changes. Most teenagers do not follow the curfew anyways.
The third and final reason is that it is the own persons responsibility to be safe, not the governments. So making it illegal is taking away there (sic) freedom, and most people completely agree, going out at night is not always the best idea. But you should keep it a right and a choice. From the land of the free!
In conclusion, curfews should not be implemented because it is taking away the teenagers rights and should let the teenagers have the right to choose what they want. Most of the teenagers do not even follow the curfew anyways, so implementing the law will just make even more rebels.
The last reasons is that it really isn’t going to make many changes, so allowing the right is not so bad after all.
Written by Johnathan Angel Vargas, 18 of St. George, Utah
Letters to the Editor are not the product or opinion of St. George News and are given only a light edit for technical style and formatting. The matters stated and opinions given are the responsibility of the person submitting them.
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This is part of our nation’s problem, raising kids with no rules or limits.
I agree with Craig.
I do also!
I agree as well.
We had curfews growing up too…they were set by our parents and WE RESPECTED THEM.
Why is such drivel being published? Written by an 18 year old, but written at a 5th grade level. Maybe english is not the author’s first language. Obviously this clown has been taken home by the cops (likely more than once) for curfew violations. Teens are idiots. They don’t know anything, and they def don’t know what’s good for themselves. And Mr. Vargas here since turning 18 no longer has to worry; he’s free to stay out til sunrise doing the most idiotic things his little mind can dream up. cheers 😉
lol’d @ using (sic). You could probably fill most of the page with (sic). hahahah too funny
Johnny my boy, your of age to stay out at night. What’s your beef? Oh, you just want people to hear you? I hope you pay your mommy & daddy rent money.
And also, pay your own damn car insurance and internet fees from now on.
Angel, I’m thinking you wrote this as part of a class assignment, maybe I’m wrong. People (usually!) gain judgement and wisdom with age. That’s why you don’t see seven year olds out alone at 9pm. That’s also why if you see a 16 year old out at 2am, you assume something is wrong. You don’t get rid of the curfew until you earn the respect of the people, usually your parents, who are legally responsible for your welfare until you reach adulthood, sorry.
Awwww! This is sooooo cute! If you read it in a bratty, teenage girls voice and imagine some pouting, folded arms, and foot stomping going on at the same time it’s even cuter!
BTW… you spelled “their” wrong, and the grammar errors, well let’s just say, instead of breaking curfew every night, you should have been home doing your English homework!
Things happen more in the dark. It’s about following the rules and respect. You have to give respect to get it and it always takes a few bad apples to ruin it for everyone else.
I’m not going to comment like I really want to!!! All I am going to say is I agree with everyones comments, even “comments” himself this time!!! Do away with curfews, hahaha thanks for the laugh!!!
well why hold back.? we all here for the entertainment value
Maybe someday Johnathan, when you have to get up at 3 am or 5 am to go and earn a living for your family, you’ll understand why there is a curfew. It’s in place so that we the working class of America can maybe get a good nights sleep without teens running around raising hell around our homes or somewhere else in the city, and maybe getting caught and arrested. Then having the police or your neighbor calling to come and get you at 1 am just a few hours before you, the parent, having to get up for work to support your family…..yes crime does happen during the day too, but in the face of the awaken public, who can respond to the crime issue immediately, not behind the backs of the sleeping masses…someday you may understand
Just out of curiosity, I wonder how many teen pregnancies are the result of an after curfew “accident!”
At least a handful, right? Maybe that’s why this clown Angel Vargas wrote this is the first place. Little cry baby all upset that his underage teeny girlfriend can’t come out and play at all hours. Who knows… I’m still curious of the motivation of publishing such garbage. Maybe just to give all of us “the lols” hahah 😉
I aint even tryin to be mean. Maybe this Angel Vargas is a wonderful wholesome boy, but this writeup is just so ridiculous… lol
Yes, this was indeed done as a class assignment. It was required for teens to chose a side on curfew laws; ban them, or enforce them. This young man felt that doing away with curfew would be beneficial to us “crazy teenagers” for (I’m guessing) more than late night hookups, or illegal acts. It really grinds my gears, if you will, to see an audience commenting such hypocritical statements! You’re a group of older, more “knowledgeable” people throwing such shade at this kid who, in fact, DOES read your comments. It sickens me. If you have a different opinion than someone, please, share it! But do NOT comment on an 18 year olds submitted article with words reading: “…Obviously this clown has been taken home by the cops (likely more than once) for curfew violations. Teens are idiots. They don’t know anything…”
“Awwww! This is sooooo cute! If you read it in a bratty, teenage girls voice and imagine some pouting, folded arms, and foot stomping going on at the same time it’s even cuter! BTW… you spelled “their” wrong…”
-Last time I checked, using “BTW” and pointing out common grammatical errors is as teenage girl as it gets! Nice try, “cutie!”
“…Maybe that’s why this clown Angel Vargas wrote this is the first place. Little cry baby all upset that his underage teeny girlfriend can’t come out and play at all hours…”
You all have the AUDACITY to put down an 18 year old boy, who wrote a paper for his Language Arts class depicting his opinion on curfew laws. Don’t you have anything better to do than cyber bully? You are all working class citizens after all, better get some rest.
Cheyanne, sounds like you need a safe space.
42214, sounds like you need a moral compas.
Pure curiosity: do you happen to be the little teeny girlfriend? and I think Mr. Vargas should steer well away from any career in journalism or any kind of writing for that matter. What’s that old saying, if you can’t take the heat stay out of the kitchen–put your writing out in public and it’s there for us to critique (and bash if it’s really bad, as it is here). I’ll say though, it’s absolutely adorable they you’re coming on here to defend your boyfriend. He must be very proud 😉
1) Nobody ever said he wanted to pursue a CAREER in journalism. He is 18 years old. Even if he DID want to pursue a career in journalism, it’s still obtainable. I’m sure not all professionals in their craft started at the top.
2) I am not the “little teeny girlfriend”, just a decent human being.
3) I am sorry, but that saying is pure idiocracy in this context. He was never asking for feedback, or such a critique. That is almost like saying if you post a photo of yourself on facebook, anyone is welcome to point out your flaws and belittle you in any way they’d like. “You stepped into the kitchen (the internet), now handle this heat.” Don’t hide behind your cruel words with a little saying and anonymous username, it’s immature.
Vargas’s writing is on the level of a 4th or 5th grader. That’s 9 or 10 years old. It is what it is, and what it is is terrible writing. You don’t get safe spaces free of criticism in the big mean grownup adult world. You’ll learn that in time. Enjoy 😉
If, as you say, this student reads the comments, then he most certainly knows the commenters on this site will comment. I did a paper in college (17 years ago, I was 30) on why marijuana should be legal. If I published it, I’m sure I would have received criticism. However, my classmates asked if I brought samples lol
Teenagers should not have rights, they are idiots 🙂 isn’t that why a curfew law became a law? weren’t you an idiot teenager? Let’s talk your parents about that just in case you don’t remember….
….still waiting for marijuana to be legal….for one reason, it’s a waste of taxpayers money and police resource to go after pot heads. Is it a “gateway drug” no. If you say it is, then you have to say alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine and sugar are gateway drugs…the first high kids get- a sugar rush….think about it hmmmmmm.
Yes, he reads the comments. Yes, I’m sure he expected poor reactions when having it posted. No, it is not okay to call him a “clown” or an “idiot” or a “bratty teenage girl”, because he is none of those things. And all teenagers are idiot teenagers, you say? Maybe you were, but I would not have categorized myself as an “idiot teenager.” Ask my parents, ask anyone you’d like and they’d agree. You’re stereotyping teenagers as a whole. That’s like saying all men are pigs. Many men are pigs, but all men should not have to suffer with the title bestowed upon the general population. Same goes with teenagers.
And it sounds like you had an opinion MUCH Like Mr. Vargas (one not widely accepted.)
Are you a teenager? Just wondering because when people get older they tend to look back at choices made and agree at times they were stupid or an idiot. It’s not bad to be an idiot or stupid, it’s part of aging. I’m comfortable with myself to know that I didn’t always make the right choice and did idiotic things. It was fun too! you are getting all riled up for nothing.
All men are pigs just some grow out of it…
In life not everyone is going to agree with you, but you keep standing for what you believe in. It doesn’t mean that you won’t change your belief as you get older and when that time comes you stand on the other side. But stand for what you believe in. Honestly, I’m not sure what you are standing for right now. Cheyanne, are you for the curfew or against it?
I understand that looking back in life can change your views of what was idiotic and what was not, and I can agree with that for the most part. Yes, I have done some stupid stuff, I’m human. That does not make me an idiot though, no matter what my age might be. Where I stand when it comes to curfew laws was not stated throughout these comments for a reason. I am not debating on whether we should do away with curfew for minors, I am merely standing up for an innocent boy. Again, I understand stating your opinion… but some of these people commenting on this high schoolers article are cruel for no reason other than pure entertainment.
You seem like a bright young lady yourself, but Vargas seems a complete idiot (makes me wonder how you two got mixed up, lol). Teens are generally idiots because of inexperience in life (that and social media and phone addictions), so a combination of ignorance and naivety. My best advice to you, since I assume you’re a teen girl: turn your phone off and put it away when you drive. Don’t even be tempted 😉
I agree with Cheyanne. I’m so sick and tired of people attacking and being cruel in their words to others. If you want respect, you should be respectful. Don’t call people idiots. Don’t belittle another. Don’t attack his grammar. I’m ashamed of those who were so critical. If I were a teenager, I’d be all for “No Curfew”, but as an adult of grown kids, I’m certainly a fan of curfews for everyone’s safety.
This is a news and journalism site, not a place for 5th graders to showcase their work. Put your writing up here and you’re playing with the big kids. If you don’t like your bad writing criticized then don’t publish it. lol 😉
Bunch of losers up in here commenting who don’t have the guts to come out for or against anything using their real names are gonna comment and berate this kid for picking a side?
What a … pathetic joke.
Mr. Vargas, thanks for standing up and being counted.
Throughout my teenage years I repeatedly and blatantly broke curfew laws in my home town. I was warned a time or two by police officers and encouraged to return home but it never escalated beyond that.
Ed. Ellipses
“Bunch of losers up in here commenting who don’t have the guts to come out for or against anything using their real names” Is Voice of Reason your real name? You have to win the prize for the dumbest, most hypocritical comment I’ve ever seen here. Congratulations Voice of Reason. I couldn’t find your name in the phone book.
And where is your real name? Maybe teach us by example, ok hero? LOL
My real name is right next to your’ s comments, OK hero. LOL. You’re as dumb as voice of reason. Do you proof read your inane posts?
.
geeze numbers, calm down. my reply was for ‘voice of idiocy’ up there. hahaha
Sorry
I am well aware how hypocritical my statement is. The difference between me and you “tough guys” is I can admit my hypocrisy and give props to a kid for putting himself out there.
42214 and comments, you are pathetic douchebags. Get back to me when you’re willing to be more than a keyboard warrior. Have fun in your anonymous safe space.
Voice of reason, I’d love to be your douchebag. I’ll even supply the vinegar.
Admitting hypocrisy is not a virtue in case you didn’t know that. When you’re in a hole stop digging. Every comment you make is embarrassing.
i think ‘voice of idiocy’ is looking for an old fashioned wild west duel, since he’s a big, tough, strong man. I think I’ll pass. You can stick to your whining and i’ll stick to “keyboard warriorism” lol 😉
I’m glad both of you stopped attacking the young man who wrote this letter and started attacking me. You really ought to apologize to the Mr. Vargas.
This article sure brought the crybabies out in force. what can ya do? 😉
V of R, show me one word I directed to “Mr. Vargas” and I’ll be glad to apologize. Fact is I never directed one comment to Vargas or his article. You need to read and comprehend before you go spewing inaccurate facts and requesting apologies. Go ahead, shsow me in quotations anything I said to Mr. Vargas. If you can’t, you can apologize to me.
Hello, Voice of Reason, you there. Waiting for you to put up or shut up. It’s never too late to right a wrong. Be a big person here.
Anyone seen Voice of Treason? It seems to have skipped town.
I voted for Trump! And no matter what name Bob calls me I have not regretted my vote. I have not regretted one day. Everyday Trump is President is a day Hillary is not. Bring on the name calling, I will never regret my vote.
You see if you stand for what you believe then is doesn’t matter what names people call you. Didn’t Hillary teach us that deplorables?
Be strong teenagers! Don’t be weak and let being called an idiot take you away from what you are standing for, it will only affect you if you are standing in quicksand. Hmmmmm are you standing on quicksand?
Where’s the grammar police?
To be fair even I wasn’t expecting the donald to be as bad as he’s been. Hitlery was awful and we were left with no good choice in the end. I may’ve been a bit hard on this vargas boy, but i’m still a bit amused that his letter was published in the first place. I bet if I wrote a long, drawn out blathering article about some random issue it might even have a shot of getting put up in the site. And they would probably publish your life story LBA, lol. I just don’t have anything interesting I feel like writing about most of the time. It’s just so much funner to do commentary, lol 😉
LOL…..I’ve got lots of rambling stories with bad grammar and punctuation.
As for the Trump, I guess I don’t see what you see. I turned off the news.
When I went to school they didn’t have metal detectors or school police….so yeah there is a lack of accountability amongst children, there is a lack of personal responsibility. Something awful happened: people started feeling sorry for bad, disobedient children, and instead of disciplining them, they got awarded. Everyone gets an award! Now y’all feel entitled. 🙁 it’s not your fault tho’ you were raised and trained that way. And now you have metal detectors and police at schools and curfews. And it’s scary to go to school because you don’t know when the next school shooting is going to happen. I really feel bad for your generation. I hope you all turn it around. Because it was the baby boomers that destroyed it for you. There were too many latchkey kids (myself included) that practically raised themselves and then we had kids and then the grandparents (baby boomers) made a bunch of rules and laws and they got it backwards. The baby boomers were busy working full time jobs so they didn’t have time to raise kids….so they made laws…Now it’s up to you all to straighten it out. Be accountable, take responsibility for your actions and change the world. God Bless you!