It used to be children were punished for the crimes they did, like throwing rocks at the local convenience store sign or teasing the neighbor’s dog. But no longer.

In Muscatine, Iowa, a controversial ordinance approved last week demands parents to exercise “reasonable control” of their children. If “reasonable control” is not exercised the parents can be fined as much as $200 and be required to attend a parenting class.

Although the child will still be punished, supporters of the ordinance said it’s adding more responsibility to the parents.

Opponents say the ordinance may be deemed unconstitutional and violates the rights of parents.

Not only is the ordinance unfair, it gives the government control of deciding what reasonable parenting is.

We agree there are many parents who don’t take time to teach their children right from wrong, but there are also loving and responsible parents who have “bad seeds.”

Sometimes parents can do the best job they can in raising their children, and the outcomes may not be the same. Two children in the same family are raised the same, but one may turn out to be a college student who abides by all the rules, while the other may turn out to be a thief.

Parents shouldn’t be made to pay for the wrongs their children commit. If that was the case, there should be twice as many people in prison.

Children who grow up to be criminals can always blame their fate on their parents. “My dad didn’t take me to the park one day when I was seven, so that’s why I killed that lady.” Every criminal would have an excuse like this.

But there are parents out there who neglect their children and should be forced to take parenting classes. In today’s society, not everyone grew up in a two-parent loving and stable family, like those portrayed in many ’60s television shows.

Sometimes parents need an extra hand. But this ordinance is more of a slap in the face than a helpful hand. The community should seek out the parents who need help and start a parenting program for them.