Scenario III

[chicom]

You have just repelled transient refugees who were attempting to gang rush your defensive zone in an attempt to take your supplies by force. The adults have been either killed or wounded. What would you do with the children whose parents you just shot? Your cache of supplies may not handle the additional strain of extra mouths in this event with no forseeable conclusion.

[NECROMONGER]

I would put them to work laboring with the rest of us farming and choping wood and building their new home.....

[hiker]

That is a tough question. The only thing I would worry about would be the older kids, say the teenages wanting revenge for killing their parents. The younger ones I would try to help using Necro's idea. I would try to help the teenagers too some how, but watch them to make sure they fit in and try to explain to all the kids why their parents died.

Still, very tough question to comprehend and gives me something to consider and think about.

[Bad Droid]

I would sell or trade them for ammo or maybe some good booze.

No, really, I would probably move them along to the refugee camps or to the nearest shelter. Not to sound cold but its not my problem that their parents were poorly prepared, I would have my own family, friends and relatives to care for at this time of need. The more you take in, the more supplies it obviously takes and the more attention you draw to your location. Then more people will come. Draw the line while you have the chance.

[DirtPirate]

I would sell or trade them for ammo or maybe some good booze.


Is that an option??? :scratch: :laughing:

Hmmm.....tough one chicom. I have to guess it would depend on the situation, the ages of the kids involved and their attitudes and dispositions.

They could be relocated to a shelter, taken in and and expected to work and become part of the community...or sent home with their relatives...just depending. ;)

[Gunfixr]

Wow Chicom, I gotta give you credit, you come up with some doozies. It is something we need to think about, though, however unpleasant. As far as younger children, you could just use them for food. Just kidding. I certainly don't think they should just be turned out. Maybe relocate them or integrate them into the fold, even if difficult. The older ones are tougher as they might want revenge later. I guess it would have to be decided based on circumstances at hand. Some tribes of Native Americans would integrate children into the tribe and make them their own, after the deaths of their parents, even if they killed them.

[Troy R]

Send them to a FEMA camp

[MOlivo]

I agree, would be dependant on their age. Older kids would be useful in that they could help out around the compound/home ect, but would use up supplies better given to your family. Younger children probly wouldnt use much in the way of supplies, but would be essentially unuseful. Hard one to come up with a solid answer for.

[Gunfixr]

I see a couple of possible problems with sending them to a camp. What if there are no camps? What if the closest camp is some distance away? Are you going to point and say "go that way", or escort them? If you send them packing, who is to say they won't just try to come back, especially if they manage to arm themselves or get help. Escorting them poses its own pitfalls. I'm not saying it's not an option, just that it's not really a simple option.

[Troy R]

No FEMA camp? Im sure there will be someone around in another camp that can take them on. If I have to drive them a few miles I may do it. I wont know until the day gets here.

[Gunfixr]

Well, I suppose none of us will really know until then. I guess some forethought on the subject beats the hell out of that "deer in the headlights look" if it comes down to it.

[slingshot]

It would depend on the kids attitude, age, and physical condition. I could keep them for extra manpower, or drive them off.

[Ulfhedinn]

Yikes...

If I discovered a camp with some toddlers and such, I would probably keep them, tell them that we found them and raised them until I figured they could handle the truth.

Even a 10 year old could cause problems. I think I would move them along, or escort them to a refugee camp.

But think of it this way: You let the kids go, all of them, tell them to GTFO. Two nights later, you spot people moving in the perimeter. You give the verbal warning, and get back an "F-YOU" or no reply. Do you not set phasers to kill because it could be the kids you sent away?

I believe a threat is a threat. If you can help someone, do it. If someone just wants to go their own way, let them. But a threat is a threat.

You know, I'm going through all these scenarios and just realized they're almost 18 months old... Oh well. Still fun to think about.

[AKtheBear]

Depends on what age they are, what gender, and if they participated in the violence at all.

I would be much more likely to keep children if they were younger and female. Call me old fashioned but I feel with those two variables, the kid would be much more likely to assimilate and eventually become loyal.

But children can be dangerous too. I think it's kind of bizarre that in this country so much emphasis is placed on children's welfare and children are seen as innocent. Children are just smaller, less developed people with the exact same capacity for evil.

[Father Time]

People only develop a sense of right and wrong through teaching. You could adopt them and raise them as fearless guards. Tell them they are bullet proof and Heaven awaits them with riches and virgins... (sound familiar)

but seriously,
the only way to be sure they won't be a threat later (besides murder) would be to adopt them.

[mr slow]

I have a soft spot for children... but if they attack my family they will be treated as adults.

[Ltlabner]

If the SHTF event appears to be long-term I take them in.

My goal would be to raise them to understand my way of thinking and be a support to my goals as they age. Who knows, maybe 3 or 4 of them become trusted captains years down the road when I've reached an age where tough fighting will be difficult.

Obviously in the begining they will have to be closely watched to ensure they are not going to seak revenge or cause problems.

If the children are aged 14ish or higher I would give them the option of staying and contributing or a small parcel of supplies & hit the road.

[Kicker]

What kind person would bring there kids to a robbery, and possible murder of a of a family. If the kids in there teens were staying back and did not seem to want to be involved in it. I would see what help I could give them and try to arrange safe passage to where they were going. But if they were holding guns and active in the attempted robbery then they would be stop the same as the parent(s) had to be. If they were baby's then Obviously I would take them in no matter what.

[cwillis]

I think the whole midset on a "the world will be mad max style if the SHTF" is kind of outlandish.

If i ran out of supplies i would go ask a neighbor. If a parent had to resort to looting, i dont think they would take their kids.

That said, I would raise them or at least see to their well being until something civilized could be done. They way people handle themselves in a time of crisis is a true testament to their charactor and morals.

If you guys would really trade a kid for bullets, you're messed up. What if it was you? What if when you were six that happened to you? Its just replicating the cycle and setting them up for failure.

just a thought. . .

carry on.

[Ltlabner]

I think the whole midset on a "the world will be mad max style if the SHTF" is kind of outlandish.

I tend to agree. I think too much time is spent imagining a Mad-Max apocolypse and too little time is spent the the "normal" SHTF scenarios like chemical plant explosions, hurricanes, forrest fires, riots, etc.

Then again, it's good mental excercise to try to cover all the basis, including the outlandish ones.

The shame is too many "survialists" focus on the Mad-Max to the exclusion of the practical.

[gray fox]

My 5 soon to be 6yr old helps plenty aroud the house. This summer he helped me hoe and weed the garden, I showed him the good plants "the good guys" and the bad plants that had to be destroyed. Then he went all power ranger on the weeds and was quite effective, I guess I put his destructive nature to good use. He also loves taking care of the chickens and getting the eggs. Children can be very useful in chores and doing them together helps bond you together