When is a person old enough to be responsible for a crime? This question needs to be investigated because the current law is not good enough.

    The law at present protects children aged between ten years and four years old from being punished for committing crimes. It is believed that children under fourteen years are too young to realize the seriousness of their crimes. Mr. Stephen Scarlett, head of the NSW Children's Court, describes how clever young offenders use this defense, saying that they are too young to understand that they have broken the law. Mr. Scarlett, an expert on this subject, states that the age should be dropped from fourteen to twelve years. I agree with this.

    Teenagers these days are far more sophisticated than those in the past. The law should recognize this. In a recent survey some people suggested that the age for being responsible for a crime should be dropped to eight years old. This, I feel, is too young. Fourteen, however, is too old. Is there anyone who believes that a fourteen-year-old does not know that it is against the law to steal or vandalize property? By the age of twelve, children are aware of what is legal and what is not.

    Public pressure creates change. It is now up to the public to put pressure on the government to change the age at which a person may be held responsible for a crime from fourteen years to twelve years. Out of date laws have no place in a modern society, especially one that needs people to be responsible for their actions.

"Teenagers these days are far more sophisticated than those in the past." The word 'these' refer to ____