A Papa Heroe’s main goal towards parenting requires the nurturing of a safe and motivating environment so the child can grow and become a productive member of society. I believe no objective is more important than nurturing the children you up bring, so eventually they carry the responsibilities for a better future.
Sometimes we hear in the news incredible stories about how parents or custodians neglect and committ crimes against children. One of these instances is the Casey Anthony case, covered nationally in the U.S. Casey (the mom) was accused of murdering her daughter Caylee. Eventually, the jury found her not guilty of the murder charge, but guilty of lying to the authorities on the whereabouts of her daughter. The general public was so outraged by the acquittal, that they demanded from the legislators a law penalizing parents or guardians that don’t report to the authorities their children disappearances for a period of 24 hours. This law is called in the media Caylee’s Law.
I understand the state responsibility to guarantee certain social values, such as the parent or guardian’s role in the proper stewardship of their children.
We have to ask ourselves, how is it possible that a parent will withhold information about the disappearance of their own children to authorities?
One explanation could be the fear of accusation of neglect, and even murder (as in Casey Anthony’s case), that could follow when the facts are unknown regarding the disappearance. This is the precise dilemma confronted by the supporters and detractors of the law. Laws can go so far as to guarantee some behavior that should be inherent in every human being. Criminal laws are essential to establish punishment for penal acts, not very good for avoiding what should be common sense to all.
Right now, there are several states in the U.S. debating the passing of Caylee’s Law. There is also a movement calling for a federal law along the same line.
What do you think about this law?
Do you think we need that law in Puerto Rico?
Are laws a sensible way to prevent parents from doing negligible acts against their children welfare?
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I totally agree in favor of the law in PR and everywhere for the sake of our children. Although, this initiative seems extraordinary we are guided by laws represented by a blind emblem. I believe the laws that should be protecting our children are not parallel, so it doesnt do much if neglect is not parallel to child abuse and viceversa specs. I know cases very close to me of neglect that turn the children back to the parent after the act. I am ok to give a second chances to parents that for unfortunate things or accident come across a neglect accusation, but from the second time around there’s no excuse. In PR that happens everyday and then children are killed by their own parents, just because neglect is not at the same level to child abuse and supervision after the incident is not followed. But is not followed because the system has failed to provide the resources necessary to comply.
So, again, if all levels of the law regarding this matter are not parallel, the law is useless.