Should Parents Pay ?
By Kandase
@Kandae11 (55163)
March 2, 2022 8:44am CST
Should parents be dragged before the courts when their juvenile children commit serious crimes?
I have heard that debate in many quarters over the years, especially when a particularly serious crime committed by a child is highlighted in the news.
The debate would go something like this: Where were the parents? Couldn't happen in a Christian home ; children not properly trained ; abusive parents ; father not around ; financially challenged parents.
When a child is born , love, hope and joy is felt by the parents. They could never imagine that the precious , innocent little bundle held snugly in their arms could ever develop a criminal mind.
What are your thoughts ? Do you think parents should be held responsible for criminal actions committed by their children?
Pixabay image
12 people like this
12 responses
@RebeccasFarm (90474)
• Arvada, Colorado
2 Mar 22
No I do not in general feel that it is always the parent's fault when a crime is committed by their children.
It really is a multi faceted question, as if the parent's are raising the child, coaching the child to commit crime, well they will naturally be charged.
And in some cases, children just commit crimes and it is no fault of the parent, then what?
3 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (90474)
• Arvada, Colorado
2 Mar 22
@Kandae11 Yes many different scenarios indeed. Good question Kandase, thanks.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (83118)
• United States
2 Mar 22
@RebeccasFarm I couldn't have said it better myself Ocean. I was trying to think how to put into words what I was thinking and you said it all so I'm jumping on your response
2 people like this
@just4him (317242)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
2 Mar 22
No. The Bible says the children are not responsible for the sins of their parents and parents aren't responsible for the sins of their children. We are each responsible for our own sins.
The Bible also says - Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
In that regard, parents are responsible for the training and education of the child. The child is responsible for obedience to authority, whether in the home or under civil authority, and should be held accountable for their actions.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (35733)
•
5 Mar 22
Many of the responses given I agree with, so I'll just say there is no easy answer. In some instances, the home environment can play a significant role in a child/adult's behavior later on. But it is not the rule, each case has its own set of circumstances and does not mean a child will turn to crime.
Very interesting and stimulating post.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35733)
•
7 Mar 22
@Kandae11 Yes, that would be rare indeed. The only time where a case might be made that they were born with something not right would be serial killers like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer and Jack the Ripper.
In some cases, those who go on to become serial killers were raised in good homes.
1 person likes this
@Rashnag (30592)
• Surat, India
2 Mar 22
In most cases, they shouldn't be. In some cases, parents are held responsible when children witness or face bad things at home in early childhood and hence does that same thing when growing up. Still I feel parents get very sad when their children does crime so shouldn't be held responsible
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (182193)
• United States
2 Mar 22
Unfortunately, as they get older parents really have little control over what their children do. All they can do is try to set a good example and hope for the best. Unless there is obvious neglect or abuse going on, no I don't think they should be held responsible. Most are doing the best they know how to do.
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@sjvg1976 (41290)
• Delhi, India
2 Mar 22
Yes, they should be blamed when they are minors. It's the parents who are footprints they follow. Many times they learn criminal activities from outside but that's the duty of parents to check what they do and should give their best, they don't go to the wrong path.
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (55163)
•
2 Mar 22
Definitely there are instances when the blame lands squarely on the shoulders of the parents.instances when the child is ignored by the parent - not monitored ; left to his or her own devices - no control over what their young kids watch on the internet etc, etc.
