"Adolescent peer groups serve very real functions in society. They provide a way in which children can learn to become independent of family authority.

"In modern society, maturity is equated with independence, with the ability to formulate one's own judgements, and with the capacity to take independent action and live by the consequences of that action.

"Peer groups provide children with experience of egalitarian relationships not possible in the family. Through peer groups, the child is exposed to values and experiences of dozens of other families, many of which may be greatly different from his own. Through these contacts, the child's horizons are broadened, his perceptions widened.

"In order for peer groups to serve these important functions, the child must get outside of the family and interact freely with children of his own age. The school is ideal for this purpose. Its corridors and classrooms, clubs and activities provide a natural and convenient setting for the young to socialize.

"In addition, schools provide an environment in which boy-girl relationships and understanding may develop. This mixing of the sexes in youth performs a valuable function in Western society, in which the selection of mates is based largely on personal choice. Adolescence is a time for testing relationships and forming standards of selection."

Comments:
Juvenile crime begins when children "learn to become independent of family authority." It is strengthened when children who are alienated from parents become peer dependent and are "exposed to values and experiences" which are contrary to the moral values taught by their parents and reinforced by their own conscience.

Maturity is not "formulating one's own judgment with the capacity to take independent action and live by the consequences of that action," but learning how to make wise choices based on universal, Biblical principles upon which America and its law system were founded. Maturity is listening to the counsel of older people so that consequences of wrong choices do not have to be repeated.

Grade levels are a subtle but powerful contributor to the delinquency of minors.

See Institute in Basic Life Principles: http://www.iblp.org

Let's work to deliver America's children, especially our own.

Clift