American society has taught children that no one cares for them, that society is indifferent to them. Dill's folks didn't beat or mistreat him. What they did was tell him: All right, we bought you all the toys. Now, go play with them and leave us alone This is America We have bought our children all the toys and then told them: Now, go away and leave us alone When a child is made to feel he or she is of no consequence, is not loved, is not even wanted, that child has all the potential for becoming a monster, a curse rather than a blessing. Don't expect a child to understand what is adult responsibility. America has failed miserably, as a nation, to cherish its young, and as Atticus Finch warned: The bill is coming due When any society condones, and even encourages violence, particularly violence against children, that society will pay the price. When a society teaches children that there are no moral absolutes, that perversion is acceptable and approved by society, that all manner of violence and perversion is approved and called "entertainment," children know such a society has no real concern for them, that such a society is really INDIFFERENT to them. | To Kill A Mockingbird by Samuel D G Heath, Paperback | Indigo Chapters