Blaming Mom and Dad By Joan E. Lisante Hunker down with a mug of coffee and your favorite advice columnist, thankful that this letter isn t about you. This is ridiculous the woman is making a big deal out of what s basically a school yard fight. I wasn t anywhere near the goings-on, anyhow.
Most states now hold parents responsible for some of the mindless damage their kids cause.
The increased violence of juvenile acts and the public s horrified reaction have convinced legislatures throughout the United States to pass parental liability laws, now on the books in 47 states. Many states hold parents responsible for their child s mistakes which damage property or hurt someone. If your kid s a true Dennis the Menace, move to Washington, D.C., the only jurisdiction without a parental liability law. Examples of clueless parenthood such as the Columbine High School massacre spring to mind, but most parents are more likely to confront less onerous situations in which kids find themselves every day. The parents and their child are joint and severally liable .