Personal Application of Criminology

When we become parents we have to make a conscious decision to put the welfare of our children first. Raising a child or children is a very tough job and has the responsibility to teach our children what is good and bad. Every parent works hard to encourage the best values and morals in their child's life. These values and morals can sometimes be influenced by the people they become friends with. If raising kids came with a manual, being a mother to a 16 year old boy would be a walk in the park. Sometimes we make choices and pray that it is the right one. On Monday, June 20, 2010, I was not feeling well and I came home early from work to find out the door ajar. After entering my house I saw my son's friend Zacharias searching through my kitchen drawer. Zacharias told me that he is trying to leave a note to my son, but next to him on the counter was a lock pick. I also discovered some of my jewelry sitting on the counter and the worst part was that Zacharias smelled like marijuana. I told Zacharias to leave my house immediately and he left.

After the incident I called my son, Nate. I asked him to come to the house immediately. I wanted to talk to my son first before calling Zacharias' parents. Zacharias is a very good kid and he has never been trouble before this very bad decision. Zacharias and my son, Nate, grew up together like brothers and he is my Nate's best friend. They call each other brothers and our families are very close. Ever since Nate and Zacharias were young, every summer our families would go to vacation together. I knew Zacharias parents before Nate was born. His mother is my best friend and we went to high school and college together. Zacharias and Nate studied together, even when I was not at home. Both of them went to the same private Christian school and were in the same grade. I never lock any of my things in my bed room because I trust my son and Zacharias to stay at my home whether to play or study. Nate and Zacharias are honor students and take their school serious.

When my son came home I told him about the incident. He was very surprise and confused wondering why his best friend would do such things. He started crying and apologized for what his friend did. It is not my son's fault that his best friend broke into my home and tried to commit a burglary. Nate never knew that his friend was capable of doing anything bad or committing this type of crime. I asked my son if he knew Zacharias smokes marijuana, but my son said no. I questioned whether Nate has observed Zacharias acting different around him or if he sees him hanging out with new friends that could be dangerous or capable for doing this type of crime. My son said they still have the same friends they have known for years and all live in the same neighborhood. He had no clue why his best friend did what he did.

After talking to my son I went to Zacharias's home to talk to his parents before this kid gets into deep trouble. If he commits this type of crime somewhere else, the homeowner will call the police and he would face possible jail time. Even though I am friends with his parents, if I knew Zacharias has been in trouble in the past for the same situation or a different situation, I would definitely call the police on him. Before this situation occurred I knew Zacharias as a good young man and never been in trouble. This is the reason I went to speak with his family face to face. The main reason I want to speak with his family face to face instead of telling them over the phone is maybe we can sit Zacharias down and speak with him. Many young kids his age get caught up in doing the wrong thing; being influenced by friends and caught up in a downward cycle. If they do not get caught on the first time they will try to do it the second time and that is how young girls