"We have opinions too," insist the students of Primary 5 Simmons at West End Primary School. And they are keen to share them with the wider community.

"Each week my students spend time during our NIE (Newspapers in Education) lesson, reading and discussing current events happening in Bermuda and overseas," explained P5 classroom teacher, Shanda Simmons.

"We have recently begun responding to some articles by writing our opinion about issues that are controversial or causing a great deal of discussion in Bermuda. We have also talked about how people in Bermuda and in other countries around the world have an opportunity to share their opinions with others by writing letters to the editor (of the local newspaper)."

The Young Observer seemed an ideal platform for the exchange of young people's opinions, and Ms Simmons forwarded five of the letters (printed below) for publication in that section. The letters were written on January 28 in response to Government proposals to hold parents accountable for the criminal misbehaviour of their children.

"We do appreciate the opportunity to let our voices be heard," Ms Simmons commented.

Dear Sir,

I think parents should pay a fine when their children commit crimes. I feel that it should be law because some parents teach their children how to do these evil things. I agree that it should be a law because some parents do not teach their children responsibility and therefore if the children commit crimes then it is the parents' fault. Parents should pay a fine because they are the ones who are responsible for raising their children to be honest people and if they don't then they need to be punished!

Taye Fishington

Dear Sir

I disagree with this law because I don't think it's fair that parents should take full responsibility of their child's actions. I think the child should pay for what he/she did and not the parents. If the child can't pay then the child should go to jail. I think it would be fair if they are held responsible for their own actions. I think the parents who raised the boy/girl should not get in trouble especially if they taught their child right from wrong. I think the judge should say that the parents are innocent and the child is guilty.

Shaqcoy Fox

Dear Sir,

I am undecided about the law to make parents responsible for their children's crimes. I think this law could be a little bit helpful. It could make parents committed to keeping their children from violence. And this law might even stop some violence. But then again, I don't really agree because parents should not be the only one to blame for their children's wrongs. The children should be held responsible also. If parents have taught their children what's right and what's wrong then the children have a choice to make and should be held responsible for that choice.

Sekai Wainwright Basden

Dear Sir,

Yes I do agree with this law to make parents pay a fine when their children commit crimes. Some teenagers are committing crimes. Some of the young black males seem to be losing their minds and older people are encouraging them to be in gangs. Then when the police knock on their door they are scared because they know they did it and they are guilty. I would feel happy because the violence would stop. People will hopefully go from being in gangs to being responsible, the way black males are supposed to be.

Come on people make sure you take care of your children so you won't get a $10,000 fine! I told my big brother "stop rushing ahead in life" and I also told him to be an honest person so he can show me and my little brother a good example so when we grow up we will be honest and successful.

Kameren Mason

Dear Sir,

I agree with the new law because I hear about all the violence and how some black adult males that are in gangs are killing people in other gangs. Their parents or guardians let them get away with doing wrong when they were young. They don't care and they don't take any responsibility for what they've done to other families. This new law could probably help to change and make a new generation of people for our island which we call Bermuda. My mommy and daddy teach me how to be responsible. So why shouldn't other parents. $10,000 dollars is a lot but if people don't take responsibility for their children then they have to pay.

Haley Raynor