Would You Go To Prison For Protecting Your Child?

If my young child told me someone was hurting them, I would be inclined to investigate before acting rashly. Going to jail is not an example I would want to set for my child, this would give them the impression that it's ok to break the law. It would also possibly put them in a situation where they could be hurt even more, without a parent to protect them.

I would investigate first but if someone was hurting one of my kids i would hurt them. If i had to go to jail then so be it.

Real violence, such as assaulting a teacher or a police officer is never a viable option in a situation where a child is being persecuted in some way.  There are always official and or legal methods of sorting that kind of thing.

When it is another child doing the bullying, it is not so clear.  If the parents will not deal with the situation, it is often quite difficult for teachers and or other adult witnesses to the behaviour to deal with it effectively.  Fifty to one hundred years ago, parents expected other parents, teachers, policemen etc to give their children the occasional clip around the ear etc if that was required to keep them in line.  This was usually very effective and stopped most bullying of child on child with very little fuss.  Now such discipline can be regarded as a criminal assault when exercised by adults towards other people's children.

The previous answer is quite correct.  Getting yourself in prison would leave your child unprotected.  And worse than unprotected.  Since the perpetrators, particularly if they are other children will think they have got away with it and cannot be touched whatever they choose to do.

But are we talking about what you really meant by your question?  Were you in fact talking about covering up some serious misdemeanour, or even crime, committed by your child?  Are you talking about taking the blame for something they have done?  Are you talking about lying to protect them from the due process of law?

If so you are in a very difficult position and need serious counselling and help.  All I will say about it is that, the more evil the act and the heavier the punishment you receive in their place, the more destruction you will wreak on your relationship and the more psychological damage you will inflict on your child.  Human beings need to know, if they have committed some crime, that they have had the chance to pay their debt to society, not that they have succeeded in destroying their family unit because one of their parents took the rap for what they did.

If you are currently in either of these situations, you probably need to talk to a trusted counsellor, minister or priest.  If you do not know anyone who can help you, the Salvation Army has many trained counsellors, who would be prepared to help you whether you have any religion or none


The International S A website is found at the following link:-

www.salvationarmy.org

I you click on "Contact Us" at the top of the page, you will see a form which will enable you to e-mail anything you wish to communicate.  The S A will then direct your e-mail to the person they feel most able to deal with your problem or request.