The question of a mother’s liability for her son’s actions, particularly in cases involving serious crimes such as murder, raises complex legal and ethical considerations. In instances where a mother suspects that her child may be involved in violent behavior, the extent to which she can be held legally accountable for their actions becomes a subject of intense debate. This essay examines the implications of maternal liability in cases where there is prior suspicion of potential wrongdoing by a child, focusing on the intersection of legal duty and parental responsibility.
Read the article and share your thought about this issue.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “alleged” mean? “The call log obtained by the Post shows Marcee Gray, the alleged shooter’s mother, made a 10-minute phone call to the school about half an hour before the shooting is believed to have started.” Use it in a sentence.
- What does “elaborate” mean? “Brown declined to elaborate what prompted Gray to warn the school, but Charles Polhamus, the suspect’s grandfather, told the New York Post Saturday that Gray rushed to Winder” Use it in a sentence.
- What does “juvenile detention facility” mean? “The 14-year-old suspect, Colt Gray, was charged with four counts of felony murder and is being held without bond at a juvenile detention facility. “Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What do you think of this news?
- Do you think the mother is responsible for her son’s criminal behavior? Why?
- What do you think is the best solution to this type of problem?
- Does your government also have problems with teenagers? What are these?