
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 20, 1990                   TAG: 9007200557
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A/8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

WHO'S RESPONSIBLE TO TEACH YOUTH MORALS?

EVERYONE knows teen-agers shouldn't be throwing rocks and debris at cars at 2 a.m. and that the malls shouldn't be a place for parents to dump 16-year-olds who carry guns. Teen-agers shouldn't be bringing drugs into the Roanoke Airport in their pantyhose. Also, everyone knows 6-, 8- and 9-year-olds shouldn't be beating up old ladies.

I haven't seen a child who came into this world without parents. So who is responsible to teach morals and value to children, exert authority and be in charge of the home? Is it the police, the schools, the teachers, the judges, society, the taxpayers, etc.? Why don't society and law enforcement put responsibility where it belongs and quit excusing the problem by blaming racism, not enough minority police, and not enough money thrown at the problem?

I'll bet if parents were brought into court and held accountable for neglecting their parental duties, there would be a drastic reduction in juvenile crime.

DONALD M. JONES\ ROANOKE

by CNB