Introduction: In the Unites States and other countries around the world, laws are being enacted that make parents legally responsible if their children do not pursue their education and instead, turn to criminal activity. These laws seek to punish parents for their children’s negative behavior. In my opinion, parents should not be held any more responsible for the crimes of their children. It simply makes no sense to punish one for the crimes of the other. By the age of 14 a child should know right from wrong and should be responsible for their action.

Body 1: Children choose if they want to obey their parents.

A: A parent can do everything right such as give the child plenty of attention, set strict guidelines and the children might just end up rebelling and turning to a life of crime.

B: There is no one formula for raising one's children which will guarantee that the child will grow up to be a good person.

Body 2: The child’s environment can have a big effect on their behavior.

A: Other family members, teachers, friends, neighbors play a large role in the formation of ideas and thoughts in children minds.

B: Celebrities like Lil Wayne and 50 cent also play a big role because this is the music children listen to.

Body 3 / Counter Argument: Children are less likely to engage in acts of delinquency if they feel that their parents are likely to be held legally responsible for their actions.

A: Children prone to engage in acts of serious juvenile delinquency are rarely interested in the feelings of or effects on parents.

B: If a child is involved in crimes then I don’t think that they care about their parents feelings

Conclusion: Putting the parents of bad behaved children in prison isn't going to help anyone. Even the self-righteous taxpayer wanting such a policy in place, will eventually end up paying more taxes as a result of the