The Editor, Sir:

As a parent, I can empathise with another parent's need to protect their children at all costs. I can even understand the temptation to protect your child from the long-reaching arms of the law.

It's a dilemma which I am sure many parents struggle with. Now don't get me wrong, I am not advocating for parents not to provide their children with the best legal representation money can buy, but I am asking parents to draw the line between providing support and hiding their children from the consequences of their actions.

Facilitating crime

I find that an increasing number of parents are falling victim to the latter. And it's not just the parents from the inner-city communities who we see on the nightly news venting their anger and chanting "we want justice."

So-called uptown parents with long bank accounts are just as guilty. These are the parents who can pay expensive attorneys and also exert influence on the victims and the legal system.

But parents need to understand that they are facilitating Jamaica's high crime rate when they shield their children from facing the law.

Responsible for choices

These parents need to know that they are just as guilty for the spiralling murder rate as the persons who take bribes and turn a blind eye when guns and ammunition enter the country.

Parents, love and support your children, but teach them that, as adults, they are responsible for the consequences of the choices they make.

I am, etc.,

KAREN MADDEN

St. Catherine