Confessions of a 20 Something: What Young Adults Can Learn From Casey Anthony
July 12, 2011 • By Ana Guthrie
In what's been dubbed the "social media trial of the century," the 25-year-old Orlando mom, Casey Anthony, was tried for killing her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee Marie Anthony and lying to police throughout what was first a missing child investigation. Yet, it wasn't just the alleged killing that led the American public to fury. Casey Anthony's cover-ups made for a macabre saga. There was the mysterious caregiver, "Zanny the Nanny"; the non-existent Universal Studios job; the impounded car with the horrible smell of decay; the garbage suspiciously left inside the car trunk; the wild partying in the midst of Caylee's disappearance; the nonchalance in reporting the toddler's whereabouts, who was found in woods some five months later.
"All of this and still no guilty verdict?" many have cried out.
Twitter and Facebook became floodgates of public justice. Debates and theories swirled in the court of public opinion. Did the jury get it right? Was there just not enough evidence? Should there have been lesser charges? Manslaughter, maybe? Does being a bad mom and wild-child correlate with being a murderer? Did Casey literally get away with murder?
Casey's next move is the overriding enigma. With accusations of incest and a whirlwind of unwanted, intrusive, circus-like, global media attention, it's unlikely that Casey will receive a happy familial homecoming when she's released on July 17. She lacks a college education or trade skills, has few remaining friends. There's tremendous stigma and virtually no place that Casey can turn. She's been in jail for 3 years but no matter where she applies for a job they'll KNOW the reason for the lapse in work. And there are other problems, like death threats. Her own lawyer, Jose Baez, even fears for her safety. Speaking of him, how does she plan on EVER paying him?
Pundits predict that Casey will begin to see an influx of book deal offers. Price tags may range from $750,000 and upward. Of course, that doesn't even include royalties; that's just an advance. A memoir would certainly rake in millions for Casey. Perhaps, the same public that is tarring-and-feathering the 25 year-old will make her one wealthy woman.
No matter what our individual stances are in regards to the trial, there are a few lessons that 20-somethings can take away from the Casey Anthony trial, particularly if we are parents or plan on becoming parents soon.
1. Parenting requires sobriety.
While there is no perfect parent, there is something to be said about the phenomenon of mothers glamorizing club-hopping at the expense of their children's well-being. A few years ago, I heard two separate accounts of mothers who left their kids alone sleeping while the moms hurried out for a night at the club. One mom lost custody of her kids. The other lost her neighbors' respect. This isn't to say that moms-single moms, at that-can't have fun. The issue at hand is wanton lifestyles. Such was the case with Casey Anthony. Girlfriend loved a rave or two and, in the end, Facebook pictures and other evidence depicted a pleasure-seeking, self-serving mother. And the fact that Anthony was on a so-called party spree at the height of the investigation, no doubt, incriminates her-perhaps not of murder but detachment. Young adults ought to use this trial a
s inspiration to be intentional parents.
2. Hovering parents harm their kids.
A large part of the public's frustration also lied in the fact that, well, Cindy Anthony seemed to be covering up something for her daughter, Casey. From the beginning, Cindy defended her daughter to the public. Generally, observers deduced that there was a culture of wrist-slapping and spoiling. Now many assert that Cindy Anthony knows something the public doesn't, but couldn't face seeing her daughter threatened with capital punishment. Was Cindy Anthony acting heroically or recklessly? Officials suspect that Cindy Anthony lied under oath and are now deciding whether she'll face perjury charges. They contend that Cindy Anthony's hovering and covering hindered the judicial process. Let's assume that the allegations against Cindy are true. Let's say she really did lie under oath to help her daughter's defense. I must admit that my mom differs from Cindy Anthony in that if Glennis Guthrie suspected that I had done something to my daughter, she would personally drag me by the ear to confess to investigators. The point: kids, especially adult kids, are disserviced when their parents shelter them from responsibility.
3. We can't save our children, but the Savior can.
Casey Anthony's guilt is for God, not us, to weigh. What's important at this point is that Casey discovers redemption in Christ. I long to see Cindy and Casey reconcile and for Cindy to recognize she can't save her daughter; Jesus can. I pray that Casey finds a Bible-teaching church where she is discipled and counseled toward a prosperous life. Like the woman at the well or the woman with the issue of blood, Anthony will face stigma. Notwithstanding, God can erase any scarlet letter. He can clean tar and feathers. Our Lord certainly embraces prodigal sons and daughters. There is no parent like Abba Father.
Ana Guthrie is a super cool chick with a heart for God and love for youth culture. She doubles as a not-so-naughty librarian and instructor at Florida Memorial University in Miami, Florida.
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