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“*So they need water eh?..well this looke like a promising -
_. spot, | can start drilling here tomorrow... |

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LETTERS .
: 2
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A VIEW FROM Bo
ONE PARENT’S SIDE. |
To the Editor; oo _ *

This has to do with young offenders of today. I've
heard people say, "Make the parents pay for damages
done by*their child," Obviously, the people saying
this do.not realize what it means to have children
and, most likely, do not have any.. 7 ;
Do parents realize that it is common for some
young people to get up in the middle of the night and

go out, then return home at two, three, four or five in
the morning with the parerits not even aware the

child has been out of the house? One night two young .

' people went out and damaged some public property
and were caught by the police and.returned home at

3:30 in the morning. The parents.of-each child had —

gone to bed and their children were in bed sleeping.
The children, got up and went: out and damaged
_ public’ property. Some people 'think ‘the . parents
should pay! There are some kids'whojust get up and
go out to. walk around and do not do any damage.

Parents of the destructive kids.are by law not
allowed to lock the young person in their room, Jock |
windows, or to slap, yell at or discipline the kids in

- any way, or the young person can pick up the tele-
phone and: call the kids’ help line and say two words:

"child abuse”. Then you risk the chance of losing any

other children in the home while an investigation

goes on which involves lawyers, social services, and
the police. ‘Then there is a court appearance, and
then maybe you get your children back. Is it worth
it? As a parent, you can advise and guide your child,
but after a certain age the child is on‘his or her own,
and all you as.a parent can do is watch because your
job is done. It is up to the child to do right or wrong
and hopefully the parents’ guidance. and, love will .
help the child to decide what is right. 1 have always
told my children to do their best so they can hold
their heads up high and be proud of their accom-
plishments. I do not benefit from their achievements;
only they do. So do. your best and stand proud. .

~ Our laws for young people are just out of this
world! We have to look at the laws and try to change
them so the young offenders realize it does not pay to

Terrace Review — April 10, 1992 17