Should the Parents of a 11Year Old that Gets Pregnant Go to Jail for Child Neglect/Endangerment?

Question

How long should the jail term be?

Would Hillary back this idea or fight against it?

Answer 1

I actually think the school district should be charged. It is illegal for an 11 year old to have sex at all in Maine. If the district provides birth control pills they are accessories to this crime........

Answer 2

This is a GOOD question... because it's one that you have to look at from several different angles in order to answer with any amount of accuracy.

First of all, despite the assertions of some of those who have answered thus far (showing they just might BE these kinds of parents...) the child getting pregnant IS the parents' fault. I'm sorry, but at 11 years old... if you're not supervising your kid well enough that they're able to go off and have sex, you're NOT doing your job. You ARE accountable, whether you like it or not.

Now, the crux of your question, though, is whether the parents should be put in jail. The answer is no. I DO believe they should be charged with child neglect. That is so they have it on their record. But, as one of you has said, the 11 year old really needs the parents at that point and putting them in jail won't do any good. (this is, of course, assuming the parents aren't DIRECTLY involved with the child getting pregnant. if they are... lock them up)
Instead, I'd say community service is in order. Make them speak at schools, educating other parents and children to what can happen if they don't pay attention to their children. Also, DCYF should be monitoring the household to make sure the new baby has a safe and stable environment... otherwise they lose custody.
Finally, the child should be given comprehensive parenting classes and the parents should be mandated to attend with her. Maybe they might learn what they didn't get the first time around.

Now... there's also the fact that it takes two...
I think the girl who answered this question saying the boy needs to go to jail for rape needs to get with reality. Naive to believe it was automatically rape. Provided this is a case where it's another kid and it was consensual... he needs to be made to take those same parenting classes and help out with the baby, with HIS parents along for the ride. They, too, should be charged with neglect and given the same type of community service. Make them part of the solution... the parents of both kids, that is... instead of allowing them to just be punished.

On your last part... as much as I despise Hillary Clinton's politics and self-serving demeanour, I wouldn't presume to speak for her. If she remained true to the tenets of liberalism, she'd not want the parents charged at all. Liberals tend to be softer and more forgiving when it comes to crime... and would instead focus the case on 'the kids have a right to privacy' or some other such nonsense. I can only hope that, as a mother herself, Hillary would tell the other Liberals she wouldn't support that viewpoint.

Answer 3

In this day and age I would be surprised this did happen, however, the parents are responsible legally, whether it's crimninal, is another question. It would be considered neglect. Just think, how did this happen? Were the parents not mindful of who the child was with? It is a disgrace that this would happen and I feel that most likely someone close to home is responsible for this being done to her. Legally I would crucify the man who did this. He ruined this girl's childhood and life not to mention the innocent child brought about by this. The worst problem is that she can't be forced to abort the child. As far as Hillary Clinton, I don't believe that she would have the parents incarcerated but try to resolve this through inplementing some sort of legistlation or program to help people with this type of problem.

Answer 4

I guess a lot of people have forgot what it was like to be a young teenager. Like it or not, some kids in this are range are having sex (you would have it you could at that age also). Especially now that almost all families have both parents having to work, these kids are home alone after school.
Makes a lot more sense to give birth control to a kid that needs it than have a kids life ruined by a pregnancy. Especially now that Bush took away government health coverage for the middle school kids newborn child.

Answer 5

You can not make blanket statements like that. But I believe in 99% of the cases their maybe enough reasons investagate parents. If neglect has clearly been shown then charges should be filed. If we protect the wales more than we protect our children we are lost as society. .

Answer 6

If I were a parent in that school district, I would speak at the public hearing and serve papers to the entire board, declaring that they will be sued for malpractice and contributing if they execute the intended program around my children.

Answer 7

No
I think that it should be up to the parents to deal with the situation.
If was case of an adult who rape the child charges should be filed.

I don't think however schools should be handing out prescription without parents approval.

I raise two daughter and never had that problem because they knew what the problems with having sex at an early age.

My question to you if your 11 year old comes home with the news she is HIV positive and says but Dad I was on the pill and you said I would be fine.

How you are going to deal with that?

Answer 8

No, because then we are housing and feeding 4 people. The parents should lose custody unless it can be determined that it happened while the child was not in the parents' care.

I have an almost 11 year old. Where do they go that they aren't supervised?!

Answer 9

hey this sounds crazy why should someone else bear the sins of another its her fault n no parent would advice such a thing for the child to put behind bars for neglect or endangerment.

Answer 10

Unlikely.
It depends on the circumstances, whether it happened at school, was an abduction, etc.
It would have no connection to Hillary Clinton....or George Bush or any other politician.

Answer 11

Yes they should, as it's a bit late for parenting classes at that point; their own child is not only pregnant but a potential new child stands to be victimized by ignorance and poverty as well.
But I have no idea what Hilary would say- you'll have to ask her.
BTW I would assume that parents who are too ignorant to instruct their child in the facts of life and choose instead to live in ignorance are right wing xtian fundies or else ghetto crack heads... Not your average dem!