'Make parents pay for children's crimes': Ask
Parents in Sweden should be responsible for paying for damages caused when their children commit crimes, according to a new government proposal.
“You can’t, as a mother, say, ‘I had no idea;’ rather one expects parents to be keeping a closer eye on their children,” Minister of Justice Beatrice Ask told Sveriges Radio (SR).
According to current law, parents are liable for damages claims only if it can be shown in court that a parent has been negligent and not impeded the child from committing a crime.
Changes proposed by the government would force parents to pay up to 8,000 kronor ($1,140), if their son or daughter is committed of a crime.
According to Ask, the relatively modest sum is nonetheless sufficiently large to signal to parents “this is something they are responsible for.”
She added that the placing some financial liability on parents for crimes committed by their children is a reasonable demand for parents.
“When people become parents there are a lot of expectations and it’s a really big responsibility. Sometimes almost unacceptable,” Ask said to SR.
“But it’s still acceptable in a society to demand that parents take responsibility for their children.”
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“You can’t, as a mother, say, ‘I had no idea;’ rather one expects parents to be keeping a closer eye on their children,” Minister of Justice Beatrice Ask told Sveriges Radio (SR).
According to current law, parents are liable for damages claims only if it can be shown in court that a parent has been negligent and not impeded the child from committing a crime.
Changes proposed by the government would force parents to pay up to 8,000 kronor ($1,140), if their son or daughter is committed of a crime.
According to Ask, the relatively modest sum is nonetheless sufficiently large to signal to parents “this is something they are responsible for.”
She added that the placing some financial liability on parents for crimes committed by their children is a reasonable demand for parents.
“When people become parents there are a lot of expectations and it’s a really big responsibility. Sometimes almost unacceptable,” Ask said to SR.
“But it’s still acceptable in a society to demand that parents take responsibility for their children.”
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