Who Foots the Bill for Vandalism?

I just could not believe what I read in Dana Parsons’ March 17 column, “Vandalism Bill Could Break Parent.”

What was a 16-year-old child doing out so late at night with no supervision? This is just another example of people setting their own rules to play by, and when things go wrong, they immediately assume the “victim” mentality.

By the tone of Parsons’ column, it appears that the amount of damage to be paid is the problem. If it were a $100 window that was broken, then we wouldn’t have even heard about this crime.

If Parsons is going to espouse that the teenager’s mother shouldn’t have to pay for this damage, then why doesn’t he pick up the bill?

That would really teach another one of life’s great lessons, that there really is another sucker born every minute.

LESLIE WEBB

Fullerton

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I don’t agree with Parsons.

Being a parent means that you take responsibility for your child’s actions, whether the child is 6 or 16.

It is true that good parenting can produce a child who does stupid things. Good children do rotten things sometimes for all kinds of reasons that parents have no control over, but the difference is that good parents will take the responsibility no matter what the child does.

I understand that there are four young men involved in this vandalism spree. Why does Parsons think only this poor single mother deserves a break? Is he saying that if this child’s parent is rich, then the parent should pay for the damage?

I am a mother of a 16-year-old boy, so I know how hard it is to raise a teenager. I let my son know that I am proud of him when he does a good job, but I also let him know that when he makes a mistake, no matter how big or small, we all need to deal with it together. My son knows that his actions not only affect him but our whole family together.

I agree with Parsons’ comment about “life isn’t always that simple. You don’t have to be a crummy parent to have a child screw up.”

But you do need to face the fact that your child is your responsibility for good or bad. Only when parents can be there for the child, make no excuses and take the responsibility to be a parent, then the child will learn how to be a responsible adult.

I don’t think being rich or poor, or being a single parent or in a two-parent family has anything to do with being a good parent.

TING-TING LEE BARKER

Costa Mesa

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Like many people who sympathize with the criminal, Dana Parsons completely neglects to mention the victims.

They had to clean up the mess the vandals left behind and pay for the replacement mailboxes and windows.

Even if they had insurance, perhaps there was a deductible, or their rate would be raised because of the claim.

If nothing else, all the rest of us will pay the costs in increased insurance rates.

If the son is such a great person, he will get a job, postponing his future for a year or two or three while he pays the $25,000, instead of his mom.

Does Parsons understand the meaning of “taking responsibility”?

JODY PEDRI

Costa Mesa