Of course, the world tells us the answer is yes.
In one form or another, this question has been knocking around in the back of my mind for awhile. Can the responsibility be delegated, or merely the functions?
I’m just not certain.
The Space Between My Peers
a conversation about life and style
You are right, the tasks inherent in responsibilities are delegated all the time – look at the workplace. But the consequences, if unfortunate, are borne by both parties and the glory is meant to reflect back. So the person is made to act as your agent, thus you remain ultimately responsible.
I think it’s a different story when it is agreed that the responsibilities may be assumed. One example of this is Haim Ginott’s philosophy that school is between teacher and child.
The difference may be in the degree of risk. It’s good, whenever possible, to let someone else have the victory.
Seems to me that responsibility before God cannot be passed on to another. If you delegate something to someone, it is still your responsibility to see that action fulfilled properly.
For example, I may delegate my parenting duties temporarily to a sitter, that sitter may do something wrong that causes my children harm, (physical or otherwise). The person who perpetrated the sin upon my children is guilty of that sin, while I am guilty of not protecting my children. I still carry some responsibility for their well being. I should have chosen a sitter more wisely, or perhaps forgone a sitter completely!
(I have personal experience in this area, so I am well aware of the pain of my responsibility.)
Another thing, since it is my husband’s responisibility before God to raise up his family in the admonition of the Lord, if he delegates that to me, and I do not follow through, I am guilty of disobedience, but he is guilty of not raising up his family in the admonition of the Lord.
Mrs. Meg Logan
Seems to me that responsibility before God cannot be passed on to another. If you delegate something to someone, it is still your responsibility to see that action fulfilled properly.
For example, I may delegate my parenting duties temporarily to a sitter, that sitter may do something wrong that causes my children harm, (physical or otherwise). The person who perpetrated the sin upon my children is guilty of that sin, while I am guilty of not protecting my children. I still carry some responsibility for their well being. I should have chosen a sitter more wisely, or perhaps forgone a sitter completely!
(I have personal experience in this area, so I am well aware of the pain of my responsibility.)
Another thing, since it is my husband’s responisibility before God to raise up his family in the admonition of the Lord, if he delegates that to me, and I do not follow through, I am guilty of disobedience, but he is guilty of not raising up his family in the admonition of the Lord.
Mrs. Meg Logan
Well said, MML! And you bring up an important point, one that many homeschooling families, I think, are in error on, and that’s this: Just because the mother is at home TEACHING the children “all day” (as men like to say), does NOT mean that the father has fulfilled his responsibility to his children, as prescribed in Ephesians 5:4.
A couple cannot put their heads together and decide to override God’s order. That verse specifically says “fathers”, as in — the male parent.
I offer up another opinion and that is that responsibility cannot be delegated but it can be transfered. Particularly in regards to children. Once they have been taught and have shown ability to perform a task or thought process competantly, you must transfer responsibility or you will undoubtedly create adults who perpetually blame others for what doesn’t go their way.
Yay! Mrs Kaeding, a Real Life Friend! Have you been lurking long?
You bring up a good point. We see alot of that around, don’t we?