At what age do you think a kid should be responsible for their actions?

Question

A 16 year old relative took fire crackers from my house to school, Do you think I am to blame?
Thier parent knew they had them,(don't know if that makes a difference)

Actually it was his 16 year old step-brother

I am kid #1's Aunt

I feel compeled to keep ading info. My Brother in law thinks he is going to get a fine for HIS son taking the firecrackers to school.Said MYnephew should have never even had them,for his son to take. His son smokes, he knows it, what if he would have gotten caught with smokes? It doesn't make it right, one way or the other, but I just am very confused as to how I should feel about this whole situation. Not really in need of alot of critisim.Thank you to everyone who responds.

Answer 1

I don't think there is a specific number to answer this question. However, when a child intentionally does something that is wrong and they fully understand it is wrong...Then they are responsible for their actions. Ask yourself this, did you give the relative the firecrackers? If so, did you review safety (i.e. be careful with those)? Did this relative ever let on they would take them to school? As far as I'm concerned, unless you gave these firecrackers to your relative and said, here I want you to take these to school, this child should be mature enough (or their parents should be) to know that it was inappropriate to take those to school.

Answer 2

I'm going out on a limb:

1. If you knew he was taking the firecrackers to your school, then you have some responsibility. You should have stopped your relative from taking them or at least told an adult what he was up to.

2. If you were the one who bought the firecrackers to begin with, without your parent's consent, you are responsible.

3. If your relative took the firecrackers without your knowledge, then you're off the hook....UNLESS you bought the firecrackers without parental consent...

4. Did the parents know your relative was taking the firecrackers to school or that he just had them.

A kid is responsible for their actions as soon as they know the difference between right and wrong. The parents have responsibility too, but they didn't take the firecrackers to school.

Answer 3

First of all, Nuts, no you're not to blame. The parents are.
The parents are being irresponsible and immoral. Kids should be responsible for their own actions, from the age of 14 years and older. But not everyone is raised by moral responsible parents, nor taught to be moral or responsible. Such parents shouldn't be parents. Why don't you try talking to the Dept Of Social Services and the police about it. And I'm sure you know, that all known thefts have to be reported and all wrong doings have to be punished, some how. Yes, teh parents knowing, should make a difference. But like I said, not all parents are moral nor responsible.

Answer 4

When they know and understand the difference between right and wrong.

I think you are to blame because firecrackers are not a toy why do you have them and why does your 16 year old relative know about them. Shame on the parents for allowing the kid to keep them.

Answer 5

I don't think the firecrackers should have been left in a place where the kid could have gotten them! But the parents were a fail safe that should have kicked in and didn't! Both are to blame but take comfort in believing that if you are responsible for the kid getting the fireworks, the parents must have thought it was okay for him/her to have them.

Answer 6

the two parent and newborn would desire to be accountable. the newborn needs to income there are outcomes for his or her movements and the mothers and fathers by way of fact they're raising the newborn. seem at each and all of the infants capturing different childrens. the place are they getting the weapons? probable from their mothers and fathers domicile the place the weapons arent locked up like a accountable parent might do. i understand that regardless of a super upbringing and parental supervision (reason all of us understand we cant be with our teenage childrens 24/7) that youngsters would be lead off course yet you cant p.c.. and choose which oldsters to hold accountable. Make it uncomplicated: a parent is responsible for any crime their newborn below sixteen commits. Sassydontpm makes an excellant element. at the same time as i think of there are techniques to spanking I do agree that fogeys would desire to get some rights decrease back...

Answer 7

A 16 year old can most definitely be held accountable for their actions. You are only to blame if you knew he took them and did nothing about it.

Answer 8

It's not your fault. He stole them, he used them. He is to blame. Don't let anyone else tell you different.

Now, if you took them to school and gave them to he then you are both to blame. But if it's as you stated, it's not your fault. But do me a favor knowing how this person is hide things like that. And this is what I would have told my kids under the same circumstances.

Answer 9

At 16 ya they no right from wrong and did they steal them,? I'm sure the school will have the kid in trouble

Answer 10

When they knew the action was the poor choice, yet chose it anyway.

That kid stole your property. Unless you gave them to him, you are not to blame. Even if you gave them to him, his parents should have done something if they had knowledge of it. Your not his parents, so you don't have to take care of him. He should however, make reparations for the stolen goods.