Theodore Webb's The Question: Are moms "criminals" if their kids aren't in public school?

6/30/2014

A mother died in a Pennsylvania jail ostensibly because of "unpaid fines" over kids who sometimes weren't in public school.

I have strong feelings/ideas about this; but I'd first like to know what my friends here at theodorewebb.com think?

If you're not familiar with what happened, the Associated Press has an article about the situation. It has been reported that she died in jail away from her family.

You can read more about it here on the U.S. News & World Report website:

"Woman jailed for 2 days for truancy fines dies in prison; judge says jail was his only option" http://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2014/06/11/woman-jailed-over-truancy-fines-found-dead-in-cell

Having written extensively about what the prison-surveillance-industrial complex is (its true nature) and what it may become in the near future (see my "STARLING" series in which the narrator Simon Laramie asks: "What exactly is a crime and what is not a crime?"), my main question to readers is this:

Considering this question independently of the written "laws" of any particular state or legislature, is not attending public school actually a criminal act? Are kids "criminals" if they are not in school? Are mothers "criminals" if their kids are not in public school?

I'm thankful every day to have so many thoughtful folks among my friends and readers. I'd love to know what you think about this question.

Leave some comments.

What is a crime? What is not? Click pic.

THEODORE WEBB's The Question is part of an ongoing series of questions on his blog, theodorewebb.com (bookmark).

Webb is a co-founder of Morgantown Poets, actively supports authors of all genres, songwriters, artists and all human beings, in sharing their voices.

A poet, short story writer, and aspiring playwright, Webb is the author of the Dystopian fiction short novels, "Lifeline,” “Crucible,” “Colossus” and “Inferno,” which represents “The STARLING Series," available for ALL DEVICES VIA the FREE Kindle Reading APP: smartphone, PC, MAC, via Amazon.com.

All 4 books are also available as 1 volume, "The STARLING Connection." Webb's short stories are online, including "Desperate Engine" (Amazon) & "Family Hour" (Smashwords).

7 Comments

Tonya G.

7/1/2014 03:14:37 am

To my way of thinking, a parent keeping their children out of the reach of government mind-numbing schools is more a hero than a criminal, if said child is being taught the basics and how to learn.

Theodore Webb link

7/2/2014 04:48:01 am

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Tonya G.! You bring up a great follow up question: Are kids being educated in public school? Or, put another way, what are kids learning in public school or not learning? If the State is making the claim that it is a "crime" that a child misses some public school days, then it seems logical that the State must also be able to back up its claim that it is fully educating children or that children are receiving a substantial educational benefit. Which begs the question is this true? Or are the children's best interests being supported in public schools? Or is it not the children's best interests but actually the people at the top who control the State's best interests?

Sheri Skidmore

7/1/2014 04:20:52 am

I, personally, think this is ridiculous. Jailing someone for not paying a fine is counterproductive. Not only are they not going to get their money, but it COSTS the municipality (be it county or city) to house the "offender" in prison. So let's spend more money because we can't get someone to pay us. Stupid.

I almost understand why it is so important for the school system to have the students there every day. I have heard all the arguments. But what it boils down to is the government telling us (parents) that we are not competent enough to raise our own children. We have to be told how our children should be educated and when and how they should learn. And if you are unable, for whatever reason, to homeschool then you are screwed, because if you don't do what they think is best for your child they will just fine you and throw you in jail. It's a no win situation for parents, especially those with special needs on either end of the special education spectrum. My daughter is gifted and getting her education here is a nightmare.

This AP article doesn't really go into very much detail. Why was the child not attending? Was Mom sick and child staying home to take care of her? Bullying? Financial problems and the child is trying to work to help pay bills? Why wasn't social services called in to investigate? I will be curious to see how the story unfolds. I know that if my child misses 5 days without a doctor's excuse I will be charged with truancy. That is not in a row. So, no matter what is wrong with her, I have to take her to the doctor. Money out of my pocket so that I won't "get in trouble' with the school system.
Ok, I am done ranting now. I'm sorry this was so long. The government meddling in education is a pet peeve of mine and I could go on for a very long time.

Theodore Webb link

7/2/2014 04:52:15 am

Thanks for commenting Sheri! Great to hear from you & I like how you explained things. Thanks for sharing your point of view. You bring up a great point immediately about costs being too much and counterproductive. Which begs the question: What precisely are the costs of jailing a mother on truancy charges? And who exactly pays the true costs of this? Could it be considered a crime if these costs are in reality far too high and if poor people are being taxed at tremendous burden to pay for the costs of injustice? Then if manufacturing undue costs and burdens on the many for undue profit of a few, or perpetuation of such unjust system, is proved to be a crime, then how will those at the top be held accountable for their crimes?

Theodore Webb link

7/2/2014 04:58:10 am

Also Sheri great how you boiled it down to the State claiming parents are incompetent to raise their own children - you definitely get to the core of the issue there. Does the State actually have the "right" to criminalize parents in this manner? Or is this a "right" that it has over-reached and usurped from parents? Great questions about illness, bullying, financial problems, social services, and more. Agreed the AP article didn't have a lot of details, but it seems we may not need all those details to get to the core of the issue and the main questions, as you indicate.

Heather

8/7/2014 11:28:20 am

So sorry, I completely forgot about coming back to comment on this. I think the issue is simply not as cut-and-dried as many people think (is *anything* these days?). The comments made above bring up valid points, and I do agree with them. Thankfully my children are in a good school system which not only educates them well (teaching them *how* to learn, not just *what* to learn), but is also very understanding and accommodating when it comes to any issues that could cause problems with attendance, etc.

On the other side of the aisle, we as a society have a responsibility to educate our children, either by enrolling them in (and ensuring they attend) school, or by homeschooling. There are plenty of situations where school administrations overstep their bounds, such as above, but with no oversight whatsoever, there would be parents who just decide that their children don't need school at all. This would result in an increased percentage of the population being uneducated and ignorant, and I think we already have an abundance of ignorance in the world.

My own opinion on the specific questions you posed above: it would depend largely on the situation. As Sheri above mentioned, if the child was sick or there was an understandable complication with attending (bullying, etc.), then there is no crime - in fact, in the case of bullying, this indicates that the school should probably evaluate the situation themselves to determine if improvements could be made on their end. If the child simply refused to go (skipping, lying to the parent, etc), then still no crime committed by the parent. Yes, there should be consequences for the child (dependent on, and determined by, the child's age!), but I can say from personal experience that no matter how hard you try, and no matter how good of a parent you are, your child is not going to do *every* single thing that they are expected (or asked, or told, or ordered) to do. If the mother did everything she could possibly do to get the child to attend, putting her in jail over this is simply ridiculous.

Theodore Webb link

8/8/2014 12:53:57 am

Great insights Heather! Thanks for commenting :-) Appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts.

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Theodore Webb's The Question: Are moms "criminals" if their kids aren't in public school?

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To get paper versions of my books or stories, get in touch with me via social media.
Electronic versions (Kindle) are below (click pics):

Theodore Webb's The Question: Are moms "criminals" if their kids aren't in public school?

Leave a Reply.

To get paper versions of my books or stories, get in touch with me via social media.Electronic versions (Kindle) are below (click pics):

To get paper versions of my books or stories, get in touch with me via social media.
Electronic versions (Kindle) are below (click pics):