Depends....are the parents able and allowed by their society to discipline their children as they see fit, and I don't mean abuse or harm? Or are the parents hamstrung by a society that says children are able to do as they please and any stop put on them by parents is disrespectful, harmful and abusive? Are the parents and children living in a society that says when a 12, 13 or 14 year old child runs aways and claims that they cannot live at home, that the government then 'protects' the runaway gives them a living allowance, will not tell the parents where the child is and then lets the child do as that child wants, and then blames the parents for teenage pregnancies, vandalism, lack of education, lack of work ethics, lack of self-discipline, teenage crime, drugs....is that what you mean? Should the parents be held accountable when the government is not, when the child in question is not? When parents are given back their rights to be parents, to discipline their children without threat of police intervention, where parents and children are given support by the society in which they live to accept their responsibilities, then I would agree that parents should be held accountable for the actions of their underage children. But since I can't see that ever happening - then I think that each case should be examined and, as in many cases parents have no rights themselves, they should not be held accountable for the actions of a child/person they cannot or are not allowed to exercise control over.

To some degree yes. It is the parents responsibility to care for their children and that means knowing who that child is with and what they are doing. Parents need to have active participation in their kid's lives not just provide them with food and shelter. Kids will still make mistakes, but, if the parent is involved then the mistakes will be fewer and more than likely to a lesser degree. This is a great question SimplyKate.

Absolutely, unequivically, YES. There are far to few parents these days who take responsibility for the actions of the lives they created. I am a father of 4, and have never shirked my parental responsibilities.

To an extent. I mean, a child has its on mind, doesn't it? They are not robots to be programed, they have free will to do whatever.

Only if the parents were there as a witness and didn't do anything about them.

Absolutely. One of the main functions of a parent or parents, is teaching their children right from wrong. if the child is not taught this, the child is going to get into trouble. and, if the trouble is serious enough, you can believe the parents will be held accountable, by both the civil or criminal courts.

The largest problem in society is the lack of disapline. Children run to Child Services or a place connected, example: The school, and say they were abused. I had a belt across my rump once or twice. I learnt quickly what was right and wrong! My son got a spanking because he ran into traffic and a woman near us said, "Don't beat your child!" I did not beat my son! My hand on his padded behind hurt much less than if he were hit by a car!! Which is more abusive and spanking or my child being killed by a car? There does need to be a happy medium, but things are way out of most parents hands! Parents need a chance to train thier children correctly in order for them to be held totally responsible for underaged child mischeif!

No ifs, ands, or buts.. YES !!