Suppose your child is a rapist/murderer, and you are certain of his guilt. Is it your obligation to try to prevent his conviction?
Or would you take the apparently objectivist position of letting the courts decide, assuming his innocense in spite of the same evidence being enough, presumably, for you to assume the guilt of a stranger?
If he is convicted, and you accept his guilt then, should you try to bring him comfort, let alone get his conviction over-turned, anyway?
Does there ever come a point where he no longer deserves what you might give him?
2007-11-21 06:37:44 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
That's a tough scenario. Being a parent, I would have to say the following.
First paragraph: It is not my obligation to try and prevent his conviction. He is an adult and if he is guilty of a crime, he should be responsible for his actions. That's not to say it wouldn't hurt deeply to lose my son.
Second: The courts ultimately would decide no matter what my assumption would be.
If convicted, of course any parent would try to comfort their child. As far as getting his conviction overturned, no. I would not be able to bring myself to do this if he were to be found quilty of the crime.
Finally, the answer to your last question is NO. There is never a point where your own flesh and blood would not DESERVE what one would have to offer. It would be impossible to cut ties and disown my son no matter how wrong I think him to be and no matter what he was convicted of.
Thanks for the questions. Makes a parent really have to think.
2007-11-21 06:49:29 · answer #1 · answered by Starla_C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Love often includes letting them face the consequences of their actions.
I don't know how I would react in that situation, however I would hope that I would keep my mouth shut and just let the penal system deal with my child as they see fit. (with the exception of the death penalty)
The only time a child is no longer worthy of the what you may give them is when an adult child refuses, to be a mature adult. When they refuse to show any compassion or understanding to anybody outside of themselves.
2007-11-21 15:25:10 · answer #2 · answered by smedrik 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a parent you never stop loving your child. Love means giving. Disciplining the child should be done whenever it is necessary. You do not leave your child's corner no matter what. If he/she has been in trouble with law you oughta give him /her support and at the same time do some efforts to bring him/her on the right track.
2007-11-21 14:50:49 · answer #3 · answered by c j 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a utilitarian I would say, "It's rare that doing the right thing feels good." Allowing your child to be convicted is not the same as not loving them. Sometimes it's a better expression of your love to punish someone to make them a better person. Even if he/she will be executed for a horrible crime, it's better for everyone if they suffer the consequences of their actions.
2007-11-21 14:48:02 · answer #4 · answered by Gabe 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
'Love' does not mean sheltering them from their responsibilities.
In fact, if you truly love someone, you would weant them to be as good a person as possible. That means facing their responsibilities.
2007-11-21 14:54:30 · answer #5 · answered by lmn78744 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put the kid in prison, then visit him and tell him you love him.
2007-11-21 14:45:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋