Legal aspects of parental liability for student vandalism

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Sue Ellen Medley (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Joseph E. Bryson

Abstract: Since the 1950's, the willful and malicious damage by young vandals to school property has cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Dwindling educational budgets have had to include the ever-growing expense required to repair or replace school property, as well as to cover the hidden costs of increased security devices and personnel. Through the years, the public has demanded that parents of vandals bear at least some of the financial responsibility for their children's destructive acts. As a result, forty-nine state legislatures have passed parental responsibility laws which place no-fault or vicarious liability on parents of children who damage property. It was the primary purpose of this study to provide pertinent information to educators who might bring suit against parents of vandals in order to defray the costs of vandalism and to reduce the number of such incidents. State statutes were analyzed and selected court cases were reviewed for the issues which they presented. Selected findings of congressional sub-committees were also given concerning factors of vandalism and suggested strategies school officials might employ.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 1985
Subjects
School vandalism
Liability (Law)
Education $x Parent participation

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