Re: The Intimate 5th/6th Graders
minah_pa,
You are allowing absolutely no place for shades of grey. :)
Law recognises that it has set arbitary standards which may contrast hugely with events in practice. Unfortunately Law in not a sentient entity. Hence, it is the job of the law enforcers to recognise that they cannot treat a 12 year old on the same level as an adult, or a 15 year old on the same bearing as a child. (Consequently we have laws such as statuory rape, age of consent being as low as 13 in some places etc)
Children are also held responsible - to an extent. 18 is afterall an arbitary age. While it is necessary to establish a 'cut-off' age, the actual process of maturity starts far before that. Unless mentally retarded, a 17 year old dopehead is completely aware of the implications and consequences of his action. If they weren't then there wouldn't be any juvenille prisons, or rehablitation centres for crimes committed by teens/children. Going by your logic, parents would be held completely responsible for each and every miscouduct on the part of minors, which is an insult to both parents and commonsense.
Re: you provocative dancing example.
That depends on the age. If the minor in question is in highschool than the actual action is the fault of the child. (provided the child is not forced to act against his/her will) The adult in question can indeed be held liable for teaching the said dance, but to lay complete and total blame at his feet, we will need to assume that either a TEENAGER has completely no will of his/her own or is a complete vegetable.
Responsibility comes in many guises and forms and everyone, be it child or adult, bear their own sort of responsibility. Even in the eyes of Law.