PARENTING SOCIAL DEGENERATION
Sheila Weller, in her book "Saint of Circumstances", reveals the untold story of Alex Kelley, who was convicted of rape in 1996. When Kelley was initially indicted he fled to Europe, spending more than eight years on the run, leading a comfortable lifestyle. Kelley’s lawlessness finally caught up with him, and he was arrested an brought back to the United States. He was later found guilty of rape.
In her book, Weller uncovers a town that seemed to encourage its coddled youth to act above the law: teens left alone to drink themselves into oblivion, kids jeering at local police as they broke up nightly parties, and students ridiculing teachers in the classroom. It came as no surprise to many that when Alex lived overseas as a fugitive from justice, his parents supported him wholeheartedly.
Failing to correct young adults when they break the law or leading them to believe they are the special few who can live above it is malicious parenting. Encouraging them to run from the law is “child abuse.” When families fail at their task of socializing children, a civil society degenerates.
SOURCE: Michael G. Moriarty, The Perfect 10: The Blessings of Following God’s Commandments in a Post Modern World, p. 111
