What age can we stop using "parental upbringing" as an excuse for one's action?

Question

when can we use "personal responsibility"?

Answer 1

I think you're asking a general societal question to individuals.
I wholeheartedly believe in personal responsibility! I was raised "wrong" in a lot of ways... a lot! but I overcame my upbringing & realised my parents had no idea what they were doing. I wouldn't associate with either of my parents if they were total strangers. I decided at the age of 10 that I didn't believe everything my parents believed... however I was probably 30 before I broke that cycle...
I have only been living "MY" life for 10 years but I did finally realise that I ALONE am responsible for my actions!!!
I no longer blame my parents or society. I don't use drugs, I don't steal (because it's a giant corporation & can absorb the loss), I don't use foul language in public (or PUBLIX.. wow these 2 20something guys were in there in the middle of the morning, with small children within earshot, using the f-word loudly & repeatedly!!), I don't over eat, I never graffitied a wall & wouldn't start now, I don't get in fights or do any of those things which people blame on their parents.
Thanks for your question... I hope my answer restores your hope for the existence of personal responsibility.

Answer 2

I know that I won't get a thumbs up, more so a best answer for my answer. but I have to concede to the fact that the politics divide in the U.S. right now is really great. One side wants him to succeed and another wants him to fail; both at no expense or reason at all. I am not an American and is therefore supposed to be neutral, which I am. From my point of view Zachs was right. He needs more time. Actually, as with any other past presidents who were judged poorly during their time, historians had been more considerate after reviewing That president's performance from a distant viewpoint. It is understandable for a citizen to be impatient during a crisis to demand instant cure. But even economists from all sides of the spectrum agree that for the economy to turn around requires understanding of the fundamentals of the problem, the willingness to participate in a reconstructive process to counteract the prevailing trend, and the resolve to go on with business notwithstanding the facts. And they all agree that this takes time; however, they didn't all declare how much time it requires. I tip my hat to all economists because of their bold predictions but lack of courage to give a deadline. The fact being that the economy, not only the U.S.'s but of the entire world, is at stake. So jump-starting the U.S. economy is not only an American expectation but also that of the entire world. Now, to your question when supporters will stop justifying that "he just got elected?". I think we should also consider the fact that detractors are also justifying their criticisms because of the slow results than that they were expecting. I am curious, if he were successful in his less than two months in office, what excuses would his detractors think of next? Just a thought and I'm not going for points. I hope that this is a legitimate intellectual exchange and not a biased questioned posed to incite readers into reacting.

Answer 3

At age 12.

Answer 4

It seems as though there is no age limit for using this as an excuse to be an idiot.Unfortunately our society perpetuates this kind of thinking by constantly finding ways to shift the blame to others.Psychologists,psychiatrists,media and anyone else who gets paid to make you feel like its not your fault will gladly blame your actions on parents,race,your pet dying when you were 3yrs old or whatever as long as you come back next week.

Answer 5

It's never an excuse for one's actions, but it is an influence. For example, it can never be used as an excuse for committing an assault. However, bad parental upbringing can be an influence on why the assault was committed.

Answer 6

I stopped blaming my parents for my life at around age 25 when I felt I had become the man I wanted to be and took credit/responsibility.

Answer 7

good question in some ways..................I always felt that until my children left home they and what they did and how they conducted them selves reflected on me and how I had raised them.......so I suppose at the point that they left home would be a fair ish reply BUT I also taught them right from wrong at a very early age with it being reinforced along the way.......they was also taught that at many points in their lives personal accountability would come into play and at ALL times it would be them that had to face the consequences of any mis doing...............would not make me love them any less but they would have to take what ever punishment was given out....................

I feel that to many kids are not taught the BASICS as they grow up and that's where it all falls down.

Answer 8

As far as I'm concerned, if a person commits a crime, he/she is responsible for his/her behavior, regardless of age. I think that kids who are responsible for school shootings should face the consequences of their actions just as serial killers and drug dealers have to when they're caught.

Answer 9

It isn't "either/or" and life isn't black and white.

It is impossible to discount the way a person was raised, and it is indeed, possible to take personal responsibility for one's actions.

They are two sides of the same coin.

Answer 10

Didn't they pass a law in CA that made it illegal to spank a kid under 3? What age do you think should be appropriate for spanking? At what age does a spanking become assault?