2010 Essay Contest Topics
“More than 1 million children worldwide are living in detention as a result of being in a position of conflict with the law, without access to a fair judicial process or legal representation.” (Musiani) The imprisonment of children ages 4-14 is a rampant problem in our world today. It is also a complicated subject. Children who are imprisoned in the US are under vastly different circumstances than children in third world countries. There are many different issues related to child imprisonment. These can range from ways to prevent child imprisonment, to children’s rights while in prison, to the repercussions on families with children in prison.
Topic Selection
The following topics focus on different facets of this complex issue. Participants should choose one and write an essay exploring this specific aspect and how it relates to their understanding of compassion. (Note: Essays will be disqualified if they do not address the issue of compassion.)
Alternatives to Prison
72% of child prisoners are re-convicted within two years of their release. Almost half of these children return to prison. (Goldson) Imprisonment is not always effective in preventing future crime. Children who are broken enough to commit crimes can find restoration through alternative programs. What alternatives to prison have been proposed or implemented? How successful have they been? What are other alternatives?
Child Rights
“Prior to the 20th century, children were for the most part regarded as inferior and subordinate to adults.” (UN DPI) Even though that viewpoint is changing, children are still deprived of their basic human rights. Many children are robbed of a voice and cannot defend themselves. They are put into prison with little evidence, or they may wait years to receive a trial. What rights do children have? What rights should they have and on what basis? Is anybody doing something about this?
Social Preventative Measures
Some children are imprisoned because of crimes committed for survival. For example, if a child is caught with a loaf of stolen bread, it is a theft. What if the theft was to feed his little sick brother? Perhaps if the child’s needs were provided for initially, he would not have been forced to steal. What are some ways that social reform can help prevent child crime?
Family Outside Prison
When a child is in prison, the entire family often suffers with the child. The family is fragmented, and grieves the absence of one of its own. How can a family cope with a child in prison? What can they do to help the child? What can be done to assist the suffering relatives?
Educational Issues
Children in prison have little or no access to educational resources. What are the minimum resources prisons should provide for the education of an imprisoned child? Are there any good models that address this concern?
Heroes of Compassion
Who are some heroes of compassion for imprisoned children? Write about someone who has made advances on behalf of these children. What was his or her most significant achievement? How did he or she bring about change?
A Worldwide Problem
Compare the problem of the imprisoned child in the USA to that found in the developing world. How can these problems be resolved? What is the status of public awareness of this issue?
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Are our essay’s supposed to be about our definition of “compassion” and how it applies to one of these topics?
Hi Josh,
Yes, that is part of what the essay is about. However, we would also like to see your PERSONAL response to the issue of child imprisonment in some way. We would like you to not only define compassion, but also write compassionately about the situation of these children. Here are the general guidelines:
Each essay should:
* Demonstrate a clear understanding of the issues surrounding children in prison and the implications for society.
* Show the author has personally wrestled with the nature and character of compassion.
* Demonstrate the student’s own serious reflection on the current and future problems facing children in prison.
* Be focused and well reasoned.
* Use correct spelling and grammar.
Thanks!
From the topics listed above, are we choosing only one of them and also talking about child imprisonment in our analysis?
Thankyou!
Hi Tsedenia,
Yes, you choose from the topics above. They are all related to child imprisonment, so you should definitely talk about the imprisoned child in your response. Please note that your essay should also be a compassionate response to the problem of the imprisoned child, and should be framed by your personal reaction to the issue.
Thanks!
Hi!
Id like to ask that while writing an essay, the topics mentioned above can overlap. I mean if you talk about alternative measures, u also have to talk about providing them better education in or outside prison. If you talk about compassion, u also have to mention the child’s family and his feelings for them etc.
So it will be a bit difficult to write precisely about ONE topic.
So kindly shed some light on this.
Thankyou!
the essay can’t be in English?
And do I have to be permeant resident of u.s to sumbit the essay?
Hi Hassam,
You are right that some of the topics may overlap. However, you can still concentrate on one of the topics and have it be your main theme for the essay. Pick the category that your essay most closely falls under, and focus on that. Thanks!
Hi Sara,
The essay can certainly be in English. We also accept Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Chinese.
No, you do not have to be a permanent resident of the US to submit!
Thanks.
Hi. How can I submit y essay if I would be joining the contest?
Thanks!
Hi
I just wanted to ask what you mean when you say “Are there any good models that address this concern?” in the Educational Issues Topic. Please and thank you.
Hi Rebekah,
You can submit your essay here or by mail. There is a submission guide with instructions on the website: submission guide
Thanks!
Hey Katherine,
Thanks for the question! “Are there any good models that address this concern?” means “Are there prisons that have good educational systems in place for these children?” Talk about places that already deal well with the issue of education, and that could possibly be imitated elsewhere. Let me know if you have further questions.
Lauren
[...] more about the essay contest topics on this [...]
hi, if I write my essay in spanish will it still be equally competitive as if it I decide to write it in English?
Hi,
Who can participate. This only for 12 class student or anyony can participate.
The essay contest is open to anyone under 22.
Hello Natalia,
Yes, if you write your essay in Spanish it will be equally competitive.
Thanks!
Do the children have to be in prison for their own crimes? I worked in a country where children were forced to live with their mothers in prison. The mothers actually committed the crime. I want to focus on someone who is helping those children.
Thanks!
Hello,
I am 22 (reached 2 months ago).
The limit 18-22 means under 22, or I can also participate?
I was wondering…
Do you talk about something specifically. Like a specific imprisoned child, or talk about it in general. Talk about our feelings? And I’m a junior now, so if i WERE to win(i’m not too sure about the chances of that ;P), would the money wait til i get into a college?
Thanks
i reside in india am i elligible to participate in competion
Is there a need for a works cited page if research was needed to write this essay
Hi, I was wondering in what format is the essay supposed to be written? Is it supposed to be like an argumentative essay???? And when we cite sources do we only use the last names of the authors?
Hello Zach,
Good question! Yes, you can certainly write about mothers with children in prison. These children actually make up a large portion of juveniles
in prison. Perhaps a good topic for you would be #7, A Worldwide Problem. Or you could write about #6, Heroes of Compassion if you want to focus on someone who is helping them. Thanks!
Lauren
Hello Andreea,
You can certainly participate. You simply have to be 22 or under by May 1, 2010. Thanks!
Hi Tammy,
You are required to write about one of 7 topics, available here If you win, you will receive the monetary prize shortly after the winners are announced. You can use it at your discretion.
Thanks!
Lauren
Gourav,
Yes, you are eligible. This essay contest is a global contest. It doesn’t matter what country you are from. The only restriction or eligibility issue is the age range: 17 & under and 18-22.
Every year we receive between 20-35% of the essays from outside the United States. Let me know if you have further questions!
Hello Selase,
Thank you for your question. Sources are to be cited in the text. This simply means that after any quotation or borrowed information that you use, you should put the author and the year in parentheses. For example:
“72% of young ex-prisoners were re-convicted within two years of their release, and just under half of them were sent back to prison” (Goldson, 2002).
You are not required to submit a bibliography or a works cited page.
Hello Trisha,
Essays should be informative and compassionate responses to the problem of the imprisoned child. You must write about one of seven topics, available here
Sources are to be cited in the text. This simply means that after any quotation or borrowed information that you use, you should put the last name of the author and the year in parentheses. For example:
“72% of young ex-prisoners were re-convicted within two years of their release, and just under half of them were sent back to prison” (Goldson, 2002).
Thanks!
Lauren
Hello,
I was wondering, where are we supposed to turn in our essays? Electronically or by Mail…and to who? I was also wondering if there are second and/or third place prizes too.
Thank You
Khrystine Malvoisin
Hi, I was wondering whether or not were suppose to provide a cover page for the online submission? And I was also wondering if we provide what topic were using somewhere in the beginning of our essay?
Hi there! Are we allowed to submit more than one essay, ie. two for two different topics?
Thanks!
Caille
Hello Khrystine,
You can submit your essays either electronically OR by mail. Details are available here: submission guide
As far as prizes:
$1,000 will be awarded to the author of the best essay in each of the two age categories. Second place essays will receive $500 award and Honorable mention will receive $250 award. The winners will be notified in June 2010 and the select winning essays posted on internet at http://essay.oakseed.org
Thanks!
Lauren
Hi Justin,
You do not need to provide a cover sheet for the online submission, because you are required to fill out that information when you submit your essay. You will also be asked what topic you are doing in the online form.
Thanks,
Lauren
Hi Caille,
Sorry–each contestant must submit only ONE essay.
Thanks!
Lauren
Hi
I wanted to know when writing about families outside prison, does that mean discussing what can be done for relatives only in america or around the world? Can I address issues that relatives of child prisoners face regardless of location? Thanks
Hi Destiny,
Thanks for your question. You may discuss relatives in any location, as the topic does not specify a location.
Lauren
Hi,is there a specific format required or preferred for the essay? such as the intro or body paragragh format.
thanks
Hello Doug,
Thank you for your question. No specific format is required, although it would probably helpful to have introduction and conclusion paragraphs.
Best,
Lauren
Hi, i was wondering how many awards will be given and how much will be given for each award?
Thanks
Hi Darwin,
Thank you for your question.
$1,000 will be awarded to the author of the best essay in each of the two age categories. Second place essays will receive a $500 award and Honorable mentions will receive a $250 award. The winners will be notified in June 2010 and the selected winning essays posted on internet at http://essay.oakseed.org.
Best,
Lauren
Hi
When writing about children rights, must I discuss only those that regard children in prison or can I talk about rights in general?
Thanks
Hi Julia,
You may talk about rights in general, but make sure you discuss issues related to child imprisonment as well. Since that is the topic, your essay should address that at least somewhat. Thanks for your question!
Lauren
If I’m writing about Family Outside Prison, in my essay must I first introduce the reader to children in prison and elaborate on the topic itself (that would be a bit difficult) or should I assume that the readers have a general idea about children in prison and focus more on ways families can cope with their children in prison? Also, if I’m not familiar with regulations and rules in prisons could you provide some possible resources to help me? I’m not sure if this essay requires that much research?
Thank you!
Hi Yoo-Jin,
It might be helpful to briefly introduce the reader to the topic of children in prison, as a starting point for the rest of your essay. However, it is not required. Rules and regulations in prisons are different in each prison, but here are some First Amendment cases involving Prisoner’s rights: http://www.libraryindex.com/pages/2560/Prisoners-Rights-Under-Law-FIRST-AMENDMENT-CASES.html.
Best,
Lauren
Hi,
I read somewhere on the website that we do not need to include a bibliography page, but that we need to cite sources in our essay. So, for instance if we look at the brief intro paragraph at the top that has (Musiani), we would put the author’s name in parenthesis but not have a citations page at the end for the rest of the MLA information?
Thanks!
please!! I don’t understand where can I mal or email my essay.
Hi Christina,
Thank you for your question. “Sources are to be cited in the text” simply means that after any quotation or borrowed information that you use, you should put the author and the year in parentheses. For example:
“72% of young ex-prisoners were re-convicted within two years of their release, and just under half of them were sent back to prison” (Goldson, 2002).
You are not required to submit a bibliography, but if you include one it will not disqualify your entry.
Let me know if you have further questions!!
Best,
Lauren Bleam
Hi Valeria,
You can submit your essay right here on this website. Here is the link: Submit
Thanks,
Lauren
Hi,
So if can the essay be sent in any day on or before May 1st or does it have to be sent before May 1st??
Thank you!