Follow A Columnist: Part 4 – John Stossel

In Stossel’s most recent article, the journalist admonishes contemporary policies relating to laws regarding the treatment of children. He cites the case of Debra and Regina Harrell, a mother and daughter who found themselves embroiled in a controversial case of “child neglect”, wherein the former chose to leave the latter at a playground, due to her inability to afford daycare. Debra worked at a nearby McDonald’s while Regina hung out at a playground with several friends and their parents. Eventually, Debra was imprisoned and charged with “willful abandonment of a child”, which carries a 10-year prison sentence. Prosecutors dropped the charge after being met with a significant amount of controversy. Stossel believes children should be afforded more freedoms and opportunity for independence, and argues that a decrease in child-related crimes means children are safer than ever. I agree with his statement, and believe that an overabundance of laws requiring the constant supervision of a child will eventually need to extremely dependent and needy adults, who undoubtedly wouldn’t be productive members of society.