Growing PainsIn today's American society, trying juveniles as adults is seen as a just punishment. However, trying juveniles as adults for their violent crimes is unreasonable considering how immature a juvenile is compared to an adult. Therefore, juveniles accused of violent crimes should not be held accountable to the same level as adults due to a lack of maturity. When a teenager commits a violent crime, it does not mean that he or she is destined to lead a life of crime. Such actions are not a sign of things to come. Committing heinous acts could simply be due to the uncontrollable phase that many teenagers go through. In the article “Surprising Discoveries About the Teenage Brain,” Paul Thompson explains how the teen brain is immature when such circumstances negatively affect a teen to the point of overwhelming him or her. This would make them feel as if committing a heinous crime was the only solution to their temporary problems. Testing young people as adults does not conscientiously acknowledge the peer pressure and lack of maturity – on the part of parents – that a teenager grows up with. These circumstances often contribute to a teenager committing a violent crime. The case of Greg Ousley exemplifies how external factors pushed him to kill his parents. In the article, “Greg Ousley is sorry for killing his parents. That's enough,” Greg seemed to be under pressure when Scott Anderson states, “if [Greg] hadn't [killed his parents] now, no one would ever believe him about anything again” (Anderson 105). Ousley gave in to peer pressure without thinking. He wanted to kill his parents to prove his worth to his friends so they could take him seriously. He cared more about his image than the consequences of his actions. Anderson also mentions the tension between Greg's parents when he reveals, “All the respect [Greg] still had for [his parents] was now gone; his mother was no longer just a “bitch” but a “whore,” his father an incompetent cuckold” (Anderson 102). After Greg found out how absurd his parents were becoming, he became hopeless. He had convinced himself that he would remain unhappy his whole life. Some may argue that juvenile punishment is reasonable because the justice system can no longer imprison teenagers for life. In the article "On Punishment and Teen Killers", Jennifer Jenkins argues, "The juvenile death penalty was abolished years ago, and a life sentence still allows one to live well, even behind bars..." (Jenkins 92) . Considering their age, adolescents will grow up in prison and adapt to that environment even if they do not remain there for their entire lives. This would never teach them the crucial skills needed for life outside of prison. Keeping teenagers locked up in prison until they reach their 30s and 40s is cruel. They will learn enough to survive in prison, but not enough to keep up with today's society, such as modern technology. This diminishes their opportunities to live a stable life once they get out, which is why it is crucial to focus on helping them rehabilitate rather than imposing harsh punishment on them.