If a cost arising from an action must be passed along to another party, it follows that the party who must make good on the costs in place of the one who is truly responsible, has suffered an incursion, or a violation of their person and property.

If he or she suffers such an incursion willingly and knowledgeably and by agreement, then he or she was willing to have the risk be run.

But if he or she suffers such an incursion inadvertently, without knowledge or agreement, and against his or her wishes in the matter, then he or she is the victim of an act of aggression and theft just as if he or she had been held up and robbed at gunpoint!

Although many responsibilities do not involve money, the degree of responsibility can often be measured in terms of the ability of the individual to assume the financial costs of his or her actions.

Few parents would be unwilling to have their children act with full, responsible independence. That is the day toward which they are working. But they know full well the extent of the young person's financial competence. They are far more aware of the value of a dollar, and how long one must work and strive in order to pay one's own way.

Once these parents have assured themselves that the young person is not only willing, but entirely able to face all of these costs on their own, most parents will heave a sigh of relief and assure their children that they may do as they please. They know that by this time, the young person is responsible and can be trusted financially.