Parents are responsible to look out for the safety and well being of a child. The child is dependent on the primary caregiver for safety, security, and protection from a world that often provides dusts the opposite.
Parents are not only responsible for providing the basics of just foods clothing and shelter. They are also responsible for ensuring a safe environment and standard of living.
Often is the case. that children are exposed to dangerous situations that may ultimately harm the well being of the child. The legal system refers to this action as “risk of injury to a minor”.
Many cases have been made that these incidence fall in the abused/neglect category. “Parents who face this charge also run the risk of losing parental privileges when they prove that they are unable to provide the child with the emotional, social, as well as physical security” (Goldstein 60). As the poverty level increases in our society, the cases of neglect/abuse increase daily.
Lesson 1:
Students are given an article from the newspaper entitled. “Wallingford Mom Pleads Innocent in Shooting Case” (Curtis A12). In this article, a mother allowed, in her homes eight loaded firearms belonging to her boyfriend. Her ten year old son was playing with a .22 caliber gun when it discharged, shooting the boy. The mother was arrested and charged with “risk of injury to a minor”.
The teacher reads the article with the class and allows them to voice their opinion on the topic. This activity sets the tone to the following activity.
Lesson 2:
Students use the information from the prior lesson during this particular lesson. The students engage in a mock: trial placing the mother on the stand. Students in the class play the roles of participants in the courtroom including:
1) Judge
2) Jury
3) Prosecuting Attorney
4) Defense Attorney
5) Police Officer
6) Defendant
7) Stenographer
8) Audience members in the courtroom
