Good access to public education does make hell of a difference, but that’s the problem. DC has a disparity in educational opportunities, and beyond education, schools are supposed to be a safe space where children can explore their interests, and a lot of schools lack that. Also, schools teach to a curriculum that often lacks the context and needs of each individual students who come from different backgrounds and home situations that would effect their want and ability to learn.

Also, despite there being for hire signs everywhere, children should not have to work. There are plenty of children who have the privilege to not work and enjoy being a kid. In the hypothetical that a child does get a job, DC minimum wage is 15-16$ which is still not a living wage in DC, and wouldn’t be much to help their family. Also, certain types of crime can seem like a way for children to acquire money faster than a for hire job would.

Sometimes children commit crime because they feel the pressure of poverty from their parents, sometimes it’s because they’re exposed to it in their homes or from their peers. Sometimes children commit crime because they feel like they have nothing to live for because low income status can do that to people. Sometimes children are literally being neglected, and feel that indulging in crime will get them the attention they want and need, even if it’s very negative. Not saying that committing crime is okay or acceptable, just saying that there are indeed social and environmental factors that would push them into it.

School should be more than education, and children are interested, but it’s important to understand the needs of each individual student, which is hard to do when teaching a class of 20+. This is where social workers, maybe mandatory after school programs, extra curricular, mentors, and more, play an important role in making children interested, ensuring that they feel cared for, and providing an outlet from difficult home situations.