Could you turn in your own child if they committed a crime?

I don't have any children myself, but I can feel certain my own mother wouldn't turn her children in if they became criminals.. well maybe for murder or rape or something. I'm sure she wouldn't for many other things.. no certain why I think this.. but well.. I feel it's the most likely answer.. for some reason.

Even though it would be EXTREMELY difficult to do, my answer is yes. A crime is a crime and it's certainly not my place to keep a destructive person in a position where they can continue to do harm.

Thank God I haven't had the opportunity to do this! I think it would be the hardest thing in the world to do , but I would. As you said, you have to teach these kids that there are consequences for their actions. I would rather stop him from being destructive to himself and the family before it got too late.

Hi Dedicated!! That really would be a tough choice to have to make!! I guess for me it would depend on what the crime was...jail is not always the correct consequence for the action taken, and the conseequences could ruin theri possibility of ever becoming a productive member of society...for some people going to jail just exposes the person to other criminals and that group of people become friends and teach each other how to commit other crimes... But if it's a matter of that person is just too dangerous to be out in public, then I suppose I would feel responsible to help keep my community safe, even from my own child. Ultimately, I would hope my child would turn themselves in and do the right thing. Great discussion topic!! Mithrae

This past fall my then six year old son stold a hundred dollars from his uncle. He took it to school and was handing out the money to friends. His teacher called me around noon to let me know that he had a lot of money. Because my brother had already mentioned that he had missing money I knew where he got the money from. When I went to the school to pick my son up I took his uncle and the local police officer with me. This wasn't the first time he had stolen money but it was the first large amount. The officer waited outside with his uncle. When my son saw them standing beside mt car he started to cry. The officer took my son for a ride over to the police station so he could show him what happens to people who steal. This is the only way I knew would scare him from stealing. I know that if need be I would repeat this experience again.

In a heartbeat. Maybe if they got caught and had to face the consequences, they might grow up and stop whatever they were doing!

Indeed, I think I would. It's based solely on their intentions though. If they are choosing to make these decisions, knowing that it's wrong, then they need to learn the consequences of their actions at as young an age as possible. I don't think you are being fair to your child if you don't. Children should have comfort with their parents, but they also have to understand that irresponsible and negative actions do indeed have consequences.