Should parents be punished when their child commits a serious crime?

I don't think that parents should have to face the same punishment as their children, but I think there is a case for making parents more responsible for their children's behavior - probation, classes, participation in a mentoring program - I don't have an answer but I feel that children under 16 are directly influenced by the amount and content of parent-to-child interaction.

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Seems to me that the only crime the parents might have committed is the failure to secure a weapon. If the gun belonged to them and the kids found it, then they're at least liable for that.

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I am very reluctant to say that parents should be punished when their child commits a crime. Where would we draw the line? How would the legal system address the true "problem child" whose parents have done everything possible to raise their child properly?

And really, shouldn't the kids (teenagers, in this case) be held fully responsible for their actions?

Punishing parents is not going to take care of the underlying problem. Possibly more progams for at-risk kids would be a better solution.

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There was an article in the Toronto Star recently that suggested adolescents who have no male role model at home are committing many of the violent crimes in Toronto. So (if you believe this) that leads to the question of whichparent to punish: the mother who is trying to raise the child, or the father who has left?

I agree with commenter #3 -- punishing parents is not likely to solve anything.

(article is here, if you are interested:
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1137019812843

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I think parents should not be accountable for their children's actions unless their is evidence of them teaching the child the violent behavior.

I was attacked by two girls and one of them had her two children age (2years and 4 years) with them. I was hospitalized by ambulance for this attack.

I really think that the government needs to give the good parents their rights back. Too many children now-a-days don't listen because the government has given them the power to do what they want.

Way to go Liberals. This power came since your envolvement.

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What if the government teaches your child violence? How do we punish them?

I left an abusive relationship and asked for help. CAS told me to avoid a custody ruling for shared access with the abusive man. Then they refused to verify this in court. Now the abusive man won custody as the judge thought I was the one being difficult.

CAS then investigated the father who at the time bought a house. I was starting over. They recommended that he get custody. He was convicted of thretening to kill me in front of our child. He also has a history of abuse (against me) in his file. and they closed their file. He has another assault charge on his record.

I had two children at the time from a previous relationship. There were no concerns regarding my other children until I started the complaint process.

I made it to the Director Don Hepburn (December 5, 2003. He said it is normal for a man to be abusive when a woman is pregnant. And there is no evidence that he will harm his child.

After couple months they accused me of going back to the abusive man and threatened to remove my other children. They took me by court serving me with the papers at my work place in front of co-workers.

I had to give up all visitation with my one child and have not seen him for years. Just to keep my other children.

My oldest son now has behaviour problems. I went on vacation for two weeks. (I'm not allowed to bring my children with me outside Canada). I was delayed and wrote my mom a letter to enroll my son in school while I was away. CAS gave her temporary custody and now they won't give me back custody of my children.

I'm a working mother. My mother was addicted to narcotics for 15years and only sober for one. She has a criminal record including assaults.

I love my mom and I want her to do good. I support my mom in her recovery. I need her in my life however, she should not be the major decision maker for my children.

I don't break the law and I am not a drug addict.

I simply asked for help in leaving an abusive man. Then I did as I was told from CAS.

The government should leave the caring parents alone and go after the really bad ones. We already have a backlog in the courts.

My son with behaviour problems tells me to save my money, he doesn't want me to by him treats. He wants to live with me again and he thinks it is because of financial reasons he lives with Grandma.

He told me he cries every night when he goes to bed.

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