5-9-89 . . . The state of California has a new law which makes parents criminally liable for failing to supervise their children. The problem is that youngsters are getting involved in gangs. They stay out late, use or sell drugs, and commit acts of violence against others. The problem is especially acute in Los Angeles. This law is designed to put pressure on those who have control or influence over the youths: their parents. In the first case to invoke the new law, a woman is charged with encouraging her sons to participate in gangs. She bought birthday cakes with gang insignias on them, posed with them in gang outfits, and took pictures of them making hand signals. Investigators found all of these pictures in a family scrapbook. Naturally, the law has civil libertarians up in arms. They claim that the law will punish well-meaning, conscientious parents who fail to restrain their children. But that’s silly. The law clearly states that it covers only parents who encourage gang participation, as did the woman just described. Civil libertarians should know better. What they’re doing is trying to scare hardworking, caring parents into opposing the law, for fear that they will one day be charged with violating it. As usual, reason takes a back seat to propaganda and ideology. The law seems to me to be a sound means of solving a serious social problem. Put the heat on those (parents) who can make a difference.
Twenty Years Ago
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