I think you are giving parents are giving parents too much credit, you assume they are victims rather than part of the problem. The reality is many people have children for a number of reasons: because they are cute, because they want to have mini version of themselves running around, or because it is part of the societal norm. What many do not realize it takes A LOT of time and effort to raise that child to be productive member of society, and they are simply not equiped for the job. They may not want to devote time to the effort, may not know they have to, or simply not mature enough themselves to know what they are doing.
There is support out there for parents that know where to look. The schools are overburdened and overrun by incompetent or indifferent teachers and administrators, but good schools and school districts do exist, as do great and caring neighborhoods. The church is also a great community resource, and should be relied upon more.
So you see, I sympathesize with your argument in this post, but disagree on the assignment of blame, and your solution. The first and last line of defense is in the home, and parents have ample resources, especially the opportunity to instill a strong sense of right and wrong. A failure to do so is nobody's fault but their own.
Where in what I said do I ever take away any responsibility from parents? They have a tough job... I am one and my children are parents. I fully understand what it takes to be a parent.
I also understand a difference when parents could rely on a support system. My parents did not have to monitor tv to make sure I didn't see anything inappropriate. My grandkids know that the Paris Hilton commercial would be off limits... but they would get a peek before making the decision to fire the remote.
These children have to make decisions everyday that I did not have even the most remote idea about having to make. Kids are bombarded and parents are fighting against the grain in ways we have never asked parents to do. Children never came with instructions. Parenting has always been difficult. There have been good parents and bad parents forever.
It is much more dangerous these days to have bad parents than it ever was. Good parents cannot let up for one minute. And please, let's not split hairs on who is a "good" parent and who is "bad". But I am still amazed at the level of compromise even from good parents. Sometimes people just get overwhelmed at the task. Wouldn't it be nice not to have to worry about what the kiddies were watching on TV?
No one had to worry about what I watched. No one had to worry about the movies I was seeing. No one had to worry about the commercials that could sneak past in an instant. The biggest outrage was Bill Haley and the Comets and the devil rock and roll! Good heavens, not to mention Elvis the Pelvis.