<p>I’d bail them out but then set up a ten-year program for repayment of the college education, since they learned only the skills but none of the attitudes. So I want back my investment in them.</p>
<p>I’d require all the clothing be donated immediately to charity unless it’s been confiscated for evidence, of course. Every bit of the electronics sold and the money donated, or I guess just donated if that’s the higher value. Basically, I’d strip them back to a suitcase of clothes and say, “Start again.”</p>
<p>In terms of moral response, while the rest of the society cranks away on legal response, I think a family needs to counter-recoil strongly to such a catastrophe. </p>
<p>It’s easy to talk about it, but this is the way my mind responds to reading the story. I’d not try to imitate the legal or police system, but do what ONLY families can do, which is weigh in on the moral level. We’re supposed to be the specialists in that area, teaching right from wrong at a core level. They need remediation. And if that caused them to leave home, I’d say good-bye to them. I really would. My love is NOT unlimited.</p>
<p>I have a nephew who served time in prison, and I forgive him because of some extenuating circumstances (adoptee, fetal alcohol syndrome, yada yada..) and the fact that he already served time. He was involved somehow in a robbery, too, but without benefit of college education. I find him more forgiveable.</p>