Rosa Lee’s Story Revisited: When Does A Child Become Accountable?

Posted by Miranda on February 09th, 2010

Stealing Became A Way Of Life
Rosa Lee Cunningham guided her 10-year-old grandson through the narrow aisles of the Oxon Hill thrift shop, past the crowded racks of secondhand pants and shirts, stopping finally at the row of children’s jackets and winter coats.

The boy picked out a mock flight jacket, with a big number on the back and a price tag stapled to the collar.

“If you want it,” Rosa Lee said, “then you’re going to have to help me get it.”

“Okay, grandmama,” the boy said nervously. “But do it in a way that I won’t get caught.”

Like a skilled teacher instructing a new student, the 54-year-old Rosa Lee told the boy what to do. “Pretend you’re trying it on. Don’t look up! Don’t look around! Don’t laugh like it’s some kind of joke! Just put it on. Let Grandma see how you look.”

The boy slipped off his old coat and put on the new one. It was too big. Rosa Lee whispered, “Now put the other one back on, over it.” She pushed down the new jacket’s collar so that it was hidden.

“What do I do now?” the boy asked.

“Just walk on out the door,” Rosa Lee said. “It’s your coat.”

Read the complete chapter here:
Stealing Became A Way Of Life

So should this 10 year old have said “no” to Grandmama? When does a child become responsible regardless of the actions of the parent or guardian? Rosa Lee’s two sons that escaped the cycle, refused at very young ages to engage in the criminal activities of their mother. Was the 10 year-old grandson merely a victim or an accomplice?

Categories: Books, Education, Engagement-Debate, Enlightenment, Our Communities

Tags: Accountability, Crime, Education, family, Illiteracy, Inner Cities, Leon Dash, poverty, Rosa Lee Cunningham, Washington Post, Welfare

sagittarius

I co-sign, SG2; this 10-year old has learned what he has been taught through example.

This child sees Rosa Lee as a provider and protector. In a child's mind, a provider and protector will not give them bad information or tell them to engage in activities that will cause harm or loss of freedom (e.g., juvenile detention).

Because Rosa Lee rationalizes her actions, this child has grown up in an environment where the prevailing mindset is that an 'excuse' for antisocial and negative behavior makes it acceptable.
SouthernGirl2

I'd say the 10 year old was a victim because he had no guidance. Children need discipline and guidance in their life. Kids learn what they live.
Miranda

The reason I ask is because her two sons that got out, made the decision when they were younger (one was only 7) to not steal even though Rosa Lee obviously encouraged it. So are they the exception to the rule? I would say yes they were the exception and that most 10 yr olds are going to do what their parent or guardian wants them to do even if there is something inside saying its wrong.
carolinagirlisacyberbully

But didn't her two sons have someone outside the home that were mentoring them? I don't think this was the case with the 10 year old grandson. Everyone in the house is on drugs, stealing, selling, and getting arrested. This poor kid was set up for failure from jump street.
Shanti2

Your'e right, carolinagirl. The grandson was born in and bogged down in an environment of crime and destruction.

Alvin and Eric had outside mentoring from a teacher and one of them spent the night at a friends house, and got a taste of a whole new way of living.

They chose early to live a different life because they consciously exposed themselves to folks who helped to uplift them.
SouthernGirl2

I was thinking about Rosa Lee's 2 sons refusing to steal & thought maybe someone outside of the home was teaching them. Maybe it was a teacher or a neighbor, or maybe a friend's parent. IMO, they had to learn that stealing was wrong from someone.
Shanti2

Agree, SG2, and sagittarius. And children live what they learn. He did not have a constant presence in his life that modeled acceptable behavior.