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More support needed for parents of young offenders
Nicky Wagner MP
National Party Youth Affairs
Spokeswoman
10 December 2006
More support needed for parents of young offenders
If the Labour Government was serious about curbing youth offending it would increase support for parents of young law-breakers, says National Party Youth Affairs spokeswoman Nicky Wagner.
“All too often the parents of out-of-control children are not equipped to provide the discipline and environment needed to change their behaviour.”
Her comments today follow media reports of parents failing to discipline children involved in a 14-hour underage binge drinking session and a dangerous police chase.
Mrs Wagner said that should not be an option.
“At the last election, National campaigned to give the Youth Court new powers to issue parenting orders to parents of children involved in crime.
“The orders would support parents to learn skills to deal with their children, including parenting courses and maintenance of curfews, and school attendance.
“It seems to me that the parents in this case would benefit from such a policy.”
In Britain, re-offending by children of parents subject to parenting orders dropped by 50%. Of those subject to such a parenting order, 90% would recommend the programme.
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