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MNHQ

How much responsibility should you give a 15-year old? The Observer wants to know our thoughts please...

38 replies

JustineMumsnet · 14/03/2008 18:37

Following the horrendous Scarlet Keeling murder story and the subsequent report that the police are investigating her mother for negligence, The Observer would lke to know how much responsibility we think a teenager should be given. Personally I'm of the view that it depends on the 15 year old but seeing as I don't actually have a teenager I'd be grateful to know what do you all think please wise Mumsnetters?

If any parent of teenagers would like to have their own voxbox in the Obs (150 words on this issue) then they are looking for someone. Either call Amelia Hill on 07967 366938 or mail her at [email protected] (You can just send her your 150 words if you'd prefer)

OP posts:
Homebird8 · 14/03/2008 18:59

No, and I don't intend to. I am sad for the loss of a child's life. It is not for me to comment on the situation when I know little of it. That mother has lost her child and nothing we can say will make that any better or any worse for her. It is not our business. Let's look to things that are, and try to do some good rather than have an intellectual exercise over incomplete information.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 14/03/2008 18:59

Isn't that the very reason why we should comment though StripeyMama - the newspapers will just lift those quotes which is exactly what happened with Madeleine McCann...

OP posts:
StripeyMama · 14/03/2008 18:55

Have you read the threads on here where the mother has been called irresponsible/negligent/blah?

Homebird8 · 14/03/2008 18:53

There are other people/organisations in history who were going to 'do something anyway'. If individuals had not gone along with it then history might have been different.

A child has died.

This country doesn't even look for 'looked after' children who disappear at this age. Who are we to comment about an individual mother when we as a country are so careless.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 14/03/2008 18:50

Yes I do see your point MB but the press are going to do this either way - it is and will be covered everywhere. At least if they ask us what we think we have some control as opposed to just lifting the odd, non-representative quote from the boards?

OP posts:
donnie · 14/03/2008 18:48

xpost MB.

donnie · 14/03/2008 18:48

well watch out is all I can say. I feel very very sorry for Scarlett's mother and shocked at the manner of her daughter's death, but you may well get a response akin to the 'Maddie' ( puke) threads where the mother gets flamed and verbally executed, Gerry and Kate style.

Blandmum · 14/03/2008 18:48

has the potential to get judgemental, I think. And while some people may well be supportive , others may put the boot in

the 'maddy' thing all over again

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 14/03/2008 18:44

Hmm I'm not sure I agree that it's invasive - I think we can be really supportive of the mother?

OP posts:
peanutbear · 14/03/2008 18:43

lapin I was just about to post that myself

donnie · 14/03/2008 18:42

agree with MB. This is nasty and invasive, given the circs.

littlelapin · 14/03/2008 18:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Blandmum · 14/03/2008 18:39

ohh, is this a nice thing to do? Given the circumstances?

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