Question

Do Juvenile Killers Deserve Life Behind Bars? What is the author's purpose in writing this article?

Answer 1

Answer: This question refers to the article "Do Juvenile Killers Deserve Life Behind Bars?" by Nina Totenberg.

In this article, Totenberg discusses whether life in prison is too harsh a punishment for juvenile killers. The author does not take a position on this matter and instead focuses on presenting arguments that describe both sides of the question. The main purpose of the author is to encourage readers to think about the subject because legislation needs to be passed soon, and this is a difficult question that deserves consideration. She shows how important this matter is when she says:

"Two years ago, the court used the same rationale when it struck down the penalty of life without parole for nonhomicide crimes committed by juveniles. But in Tuesday's cases, the court faces the question of life without parole in homicide cases... the big question before the Supreme Court on Tuesday is whether life without the possibility of parole is itself an unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment when it is applied to juveniles."