Parents, teach your children well...

Unfortunately despite her parents best efforts, Charlotte Temple still fell prey to seduction. Her parents were kind and concerned with their daughter's well being, but she still was a victim of betrayal and abuse. It's scary to think that even when parents are loving and try to take care of their children, bad things can still happen.

As far as blaming someone, I think the obvious blame would be on Belcour and Miss La Rue. They both played a role in Charlotte's downfall. Miss La Rue, an adult authority and someone Charlotte thought she could trust, betrayed her and allowed her to get hurt. Belcour also was evil and helped Charlotte fall. It seems these outsiders played a huge role in her downfall.

When thinking of how parents can keep their children safe, I don't think there is a clear answer. Obviously teaching them right vs. wrong and protecting and loving them will help, but parents cannot control what outside forces do. My parents definitely raised me in a loving home and taught me to behave like a lady. They warned me of "bad" guys and kept a very close eye on me. They always met my boyfriends and had to approve.

However, I have friends that have had parents like mine and end up getting into trouble. Girls get pregnant who come from good and loving homes. The only answer would be to lock their child up and never let them out, but that's just ridiculous. A parent can protect their child by teaching them good morals and behavior, but in the end it is up to the child.

I think things haven't changed too much because girls from good households with good parents still fall prey to seduction. There is only so much a parents can do, and then the decision lies on the child.

Willpower plays a big role in resisting temptation, but it is hard to do the right thing when someone you trust tells you it's okay. Like Miss La Rue, when someone older and that you trust convinces you and helps you fall, what are you supposed to think? That's pretty scary.