Lawsuits Against Chaperones
By worldwise1
@worldwise1 (14885)
United States
June 17, 2008 3:04pm CST
I was reaind an interesting story form one of my local TV news sites. The story detailed the growing risks of being a chaperone when children of others are involved. All of the fuss stems from the case of a teenage girl who feel to her death froma balcony in Maui while there to perform as a cheerleader during a football game. She was being chaperoned by her friend's mother and the mother was charged in the girls death. It is a huge responsibility to undertake the chaperoning of someone else's child. I don't know that I would ever do it. The story also mentioned that this girl was seen drinking alcoholic drinks just hours after they arrived. That apparently didn't go over well with the jury. On a personal level I believe it is hard enough dealing with ones own teens. Why would anyone ever want to take on the job of being responsible for someone else's?http://www.wdtn.com/Global/story.asp?S=8511510&Call=Email&Format=HTML
1 person likes this
3 responses
@mummymo (23706)
•
17 Jun 08
It would depend very much on whether I knew the teenager or child involved whether I would consider doing this but if I didn't I definitely wouldn't take them and not watch every move they made! I don't quite know how I feel about this particular event but I know that things are getting more and more difficult when it cones to teenagers. xxx
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
20 Jun 08
I would agree, mummymo. Since the law considers anyone over the age of eighteen an adult I fail to understand how the woman could be held responsible.
@jer31558 (3683)
• United States
18 Jun 08
I don't think that I would ever want the task of watching over someone other than my own children. In many cases the children aren't as good as the parents would like to believe. If they were, they wouldn't need someone to watch over them in the first place.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
20 Jun 08
Kids these days certainly seem to be more secretive and demanding of their "rights," jer. Back in my day we didn't have "rights" as long as we were dependent upon our parents. My, how things have changed!
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
18 Jun 08
Life is definitely different these days..I chaparoned for both of my kids classes when they travelled in band or at dances or trips of all sorts..Never had a problem that couldn't be resolved between the child and myself...but those days (25 years ago..) people weren't as litigious...and all the kids I worked with had a very good respect for the adults that chaparoned. There were always favorites ( parents/adults that were more understanding and easier going) among those in charge...but I loved it and it really kept me close to my kids and their friends. That in turn kept me in the confidence of most of the kids and made our relationships long lasting. My adult children's friends still keep in touch with me..some live in Europe, Canada, Australia..and the ones that live close I even get to interact with their children!!!
I think today it would be harder...maybe kids take more risks..maybe the adults can't draw the lines between when they need to be a friend and when they need to be an enforcer!!
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
20 Jun 08
Dating back even further, rx4life, I can remember when my house used to be the neighborhood hangout where many of the kids hung out with mine. They never gave me trouble and I still hear from some of them these days. Some even got into the habit of calling me Mommy just as my kids did.
And they still do to this day. Kids are often not taught respect these days and I would hesitate to take on that responsibility now.
And they still do to this day. Kids are often not taught respect these days and I would hesitate to take on that responsibility now.