Maria Orosco
Mrs. Azul
English 1A
16 April 2010
Teaching Children the Consequences
For decades it has been the parent’s responsibility to teach their children the concepts of life. Concepts that may either help them become good citizens in life or concepts that may not help them at all. Whatever the outcome may be, it is still the parent’s responsibility to teach them the right from the wrongs. In the debate of whether or not parents should be held responsible for their children’s criminal behavior many parents may share their opinions based on their own experiences. But would it be fair to judge others upon others personal experiences? Parents should not be held responsible for the crimes of their children, just like children should not be held responsible for the crimes of their parents. It simply makes no sense to punish one for the crimes of the other. It makes no sense because how would it be teaching the children the meaning of responsibility.
Parenting is not an easy task. Unfortunately, for some parents children do not come with instructions. There is no precise pattern or formula for raising one’s children which will guarantee that the child will grow up to be a good citizen for society. For the simple fact that every person (including children), have free will. But, does that mean that parents should be the ones to pay the consequences of their child’s actions? That would almost be like applauding them for not following the rules. Rules that parents are expected (by society), to teach their children throughout their childhood years, and in some cases even further than just their childhood years. If a parents job is to teach our children the rules of life, than where is the line draw when parents are the one’s suffering the consequences of rebellious children? Of course it would sound irrational to say that all children, of all ages should be treated the same. However, throughout a child’s development they are more cognitively developed in their...