8 of 32

No

Write now Article Tools

In history, one group was often blamed for the problems in society, of the issues of certain individuals. Women acting in certain ways were accused of being witches, and were killed. If you associated with certain character types, you were automatically considered to be part of that group. You were guilty by association. Today, we still have a similar situation, since history, interestingly enough, tends to repeat itself, although, we are not hanging witches anymore. When a child does something wrong: stealing, using profanity, or even commiting murder, some members of society, like the witchhunts in the past, are inclined to blame the parents.

A child may grow up in a great household, with loving and supportive parents. The child has everything he or she needs to progress, and grow: an abundance of food, clothing, the child's own room, with toys, books for learning, and a home filled with love. However, does this mean the child will be perfect, and always do the right thing, or the perfect thing? No, of course not. If the child does something wrong, or wicked, should the loving, and hard working parent be punished? Of course not. It is not an issue of who is to blame, as much as an issue of personality, psychology and behavior style.

No two individuals are exaclty alike. The son or daughter is not a duplicate of the parent. The child comes into the world, in some ways similar to the parent in terms of biology, but not in terms of personality, and behavior. Each one of us has our own ideas about the world around us, even if we are in the same environment. A family, and home is just a foundation stone, but not the total making of an individual. A child grows and discovers that he or she wants this or that. The parent wants this or that too. However, both parent and child are different in how they want to get what they want, and how much they want something versus something else. Liberty is in all of us, and is expressed, not collectively, but individually, because liberty is an individual unalienable right given to each one of us. A child may run the course differently, commit a wicket act, without any suggestion, encouragement or example on the part of the parent. Persecuting the parent for the wrong acts of the child does not solve any problem, and only creates more: embarassment, resentment, hardship. He who commits the crime must pay, not society.

Learn more about this author, Growing wtih Spanish.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Should parents be held responsible for their minor children's criminal behavior??
We want to hear your view. Write now!