Lessons From Youth’s Death, Man’s Beating

I am writing in response to the letter from Doris E. Gill (“The Factors in Man’s Beating in Laguna,” Jan. 17), who claims that working mothers are responsible for the lack of morals in today’s youth. How utterly ignorant can one person be? For someone to blame the entire problem of our crime-laden youth on their mothers is beyond me.

Her lack of insight is one of many reasons why I choose to work. I can’t imagine being so separated from the outside world, other educated working people and, also, the gratification of a paycheck.

Do any of us blame the crime wave of the inner city strictly on welfare mothers who don’t work? For that matter, is it attributable to any one thing? I think not. Crimes are committed by people of all backgrounds, races and educational levels. Did she forget about the crime of the previous week, the murder of Stuart Tay? The mother of one of the suspects is a housewife. Gee, I guess he fell through the crack of self-righteous mothering.

I was fortunate enough to have a father around when I grew up. What about the many households that don’t have the pleasure of a father at all. I suppose Mrs. Gill is sure that all those children are without morals because their mother is busy keeping a roof over their heads.

My mother raised five children (none are criminals), kept a decent house, and worked. The many things she taught me are still very much in my conscience. She grew up in downtown Los Angeles and vehemently renounced any prejudice or rude behavior toward anyone. She also taught me to defend myself if I was wronged.

KELLY MAUDE

Huntington Beach