The decisions you make when you’re young can have a profound effect on the rest of your life, but is it right to judge people based on these decisions?

It’s safe to say that most people have done something stupid when they were young that they have come to regret, and it wouldn’t be fair to judge everybody based on these past mistakes. However, it would seem reasonable to assume that somebody who was capable of committing multiple premeditated murders when they were younger is probably still a violent and possibly psychopathic person.

This is an extreme example, but it illustrates the point. However, in reality making a judgment based on somebody’s past is usually far less clear-cut.

For example, think about the recent scandal involving the Duggar family. It was recently revealed that Josh Duggar was investigated for molesting at least five underage girls when he was around the age of 14.

Duggar expressed remorse, writing in a post on the “Duggar Family Official” Facebook page, “Twelve years ago, as a young teenager I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends.”

Molestation is undoubtedly a serious and reprehensible crime, and some might argue that because of his actions Duggar is and always will be a terrible person and should not be forgiven.

Although his actions may seem especially heinous, we don’t know if Duggar is the same person he was “as a young teenager” and we don’t also don’t know if he’s actually “extremely sorry”. It wouldn’t seem reasonable to assume without knowing him that Duggar is a good person after hearing about his past, but it also wouldn’t be fair to conclude that Duggar is a bad person now because of his past.

Evidence of crimes as serious as Duggar’s committed in youth rightfully draws suspicion, but Duggar and others like him deserve the benefit of the doubt until a definitive conclusion on their character can be accurately made.

People don’t always end up changing when they mature, but everybody is capable of growing into a completely different person when they are older and should be given a chance prove who they are, for better or for worse.

Until it’s certain who a person is, that person deserves the benefit of the doubt and the chance to prove that they have changed since their youth.