Should parents be held responsible for their children's actions? Should society punish criminals or try to re-educate them?
2007-06-07 00:45:32 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Parents should always be responsible for their childrens' actions until the age of 18; however (and I speak as a mom), child who performs a heineous act such as rape, murder, assault, etc. and between the ages of at least 14 to 18 should be responsible for his/her own actions (especially if that child has a previous record). If the child is a repeat offender, then obviously the parents are not doing their jobs. We must then resort to the justice system. Children today are much more street wise,have less respect, and more knowledge than we think. And altho we know the brain does not fully mature until the age of 25, they are every bit aware of the law and its consequences. Society should definitely punish criminals...it has been proven by the vast numbers of criminals that return to prison that reeducation/rehabilitation simply does not work. Simply put, if you do the crime, then you do the time.
2007-06-07 00:54:21 · answer #1 · answered by Debbie 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it depends on the offense. At age 12 a child, not the parent should be held accountable for truancy. Where I live if your child is truant from school the family pays the price in fines and actual jail time for the parents! Then the child gets the punishment of a school suspension...just what they need less time in school!
Any child over the age of 13 that commits a crime should be held accountable for their actions. Sure, the courts should look into the family situation, the child should go through some kind of evaluation to determine their mental health, but when it comes down to it at 13 they know right from wrong and should be held responsible for their actions.
But then again, adults should be held accountable for their own actions as well. It is the responsibility of every adult to conduct themselves appropriately at all times. We all teach the children around us by our actions, lifestyle, and words. No matter what your income or circumstances. How can we expect our children to be responsible if we are always looking for the easy way and do not take responsibility for ourselves?
2007-06-07 01:11:42 · answer #2 · answered by Barbiq 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Im not really there yet. My children are still under two, but I think every child is different. Some 1 year olds know the please and thank yous and others cant event even say yes or no yet. We do a time out chair for my oldest to try to get him to know he did wrong. it lasts for about 20 seconds and we move him on to doing something he can do. At almost two he is learning to be responsible for the things he has done. Not only can we point out the bad things though. He goes to his special chair not only for disipline, but when he is going to get a reward. Such as a cookie. So to me its the same for a teen. If a one year old is learning then a teen has already learned. Its not always the parent s fault. The best parents in the world are criticized for having naughty children. At 13 the legal system will step in if there is a crime. Thats a good start. At least by age 18 maybe they will have learned their lessons. (retire)Try to give them something to do that is fun (rewarding) but yet a little their style and see if they go that way instead of the wrong way. Maybe they just need something to do.
2007-06-07 01:44:12 · answer #3 · answered by AMX Dreamer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Age 10 and up. Both child and parent should be punished.
A friend of mine has a 14 year old nephew. He was truant. The reason is because his mother would not get off her lazy fat butt and work. But she would party all night leaving the 13 (13 at the time) year old in charge of three younger brothers. 10, 7 and 2. So when it was time to go to school, she would come home and go to bed. She made the 13 year old stay home and watch the 2 year old while she slept. He had to do community service. Nothing happened to the mother. NOTHING!! that's crazy.
The law should punish criminals and educate them at the same time. Some it will work on and some are hopeless.
2007-06-07 01:43:18 · answer #4 · answered by Renny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the type of action. They should most definitely be held responsible for their actions at least by their parents. Legally, they can be held responsible from the time they know right from wrong. Parents unfortunately are held responsible for their children at least on the financial end. Parents who neglect to correct their children do deserve to be held responsible. Society in my opinion should give re-education a shot, if it doesn't work... then punishment is due.
2007-06-07 00:56:49 · answer #5 · answered by Christine 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kids must learn at a very early age to accept authority and to know if they do something wrong they will be punished - no one likes a spoiled little brat or someone who always causes trouble and the parents is responsible for teaching them
2007-06-07 01:00:53 · answer #6 · answered by cheri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
18 is the age that they can be drafted.
In some cases, the courts should be able to go back to 16.
In some cases, the parents are responsible.
Society must punish criminals.
Re-education must be offered but not relied upon.
2007-06-07 00:54:40 · answer #7 · answered by Texas Cowboy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Age seven is considered to be when kids can reason between right and wrong.
2007-06-07 00:48:25 · answer #8 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i suppose around 13 or 12..
2007-06-07 00:52:34 · answer #9 · answered by steph 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋