I have a question that might not make sense but kids are learning right and wrong and what is just and unjust. I had to look up restorative justice and though it seems better than punitive justice ... I don't get a sense that in a kid's mind who was treated very unjustly in this world that there is any real justice here. I think we need more... Something that acknowledges the wrong done to the 'bad kid' 'kid who needs his ways corrected' I don't know the terminology to use but here is an example... I am on a school bus and there is a lot of bullying. I am bullied a lot but I have few allies. I have even been thrown in trash cans. I am poor, wear dirty cloths to school and smell bad because there is no water for showers. I really need a coat. It's getting cold outside and that spoiled kid that always bullies me has a nice coat. In fact he is wearing a different one every day. I steal his coat, I am caught and now I need to be subjected to restorative justice.... How well do you think that will work in my 10 year old mind when I have been bullied, humiliated, and don't have the basics I need. Will I feel there is any justice in this process? Nope I won't. I will see it as stupid and the world and all its members as dumb! Maybe I don't understand the concept here but certainly if there is no acknowledgement of my suffering, I will feel there is no justice in this process. I will know the rules say and will know it is wrong to steal but all I will learn about justice is that it is arbitrary, not very nuanced and basically unjust. Do I make sense???