Comments on: Should parents be punished for your truancy?

By: destiny

destiny — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:48:22 +0000

ive had 2 truancy tickets in the past year & on my last court date I didn’t show up. ive recently got another truancy ticket, whats the judge goning to do?
That’s a good question, Destiny. Whatever you do, don’t miss your next hearing. In some states, judges are authorized to issue arrest warrants for people who fail to appear in court. It’s time to face the music so you can get on with your life. You may be eligible for “diversion.” If that happens, when you finish the diversion program, the case is dismissed and you don’t have a record. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).

By: Christine

Christine — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:18:38 +0000

I do feel that parents should be held responsible for students excessive absences and if they are truant for the start of school. I do not feel that they should be held responsible for children who ditch classes during the school day while under the care and watch of the child’s school. If I legally have to send my kids to school and intrust their care and safety into the school they are attending and they leave and come back while under the school’s supervision, I should not be punished as a parent. Unless they expect me to quit my job and go with her to school all day long, while receiving welfare; it can’t be done! I think the child should be punished in any way necessary, whether it be community service, etc. If I as a parent have grounded her and from everything possible, taken her to counseling, and have done whatever I can to stop her negative behavior, what should a parent then do. Give there children up to the court? Too much blame is placed on parents, instead of placing the responsibility and blame on the children; who need to learn some valuable lessons.
Dear Christine: You make some good points. Most courts will look at the entire situation and spread the responsibility around so both parent and child work together to address the truancy problem. States are cracking down in this area with penalties for parent & child when nothing is done to keep the child in school – often referred to as educational neglect.

By: Tulsa Divorce Attorney Matt Ingham

Tulsa Divorce Attorney Matt Ingham — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 01:45:56 +0000

Parents should be held legally accountable for their children’s absenteeism and truancy because quite frankly, there must be accountability in young people’s education. That being said, the punishment for perpetrators must be reasonable (ie, the punishment must fit the crime). I do not see how temporarily suspending a parent’s license will benefit young people’s education.
Possibly, since a driver’s license is so essential to one’s life, the risk of losing it will get the attention of the parent who in turn will see that their kids go to school. Thanks for your thoughts, Matt.