In the episode Penny's Christmas, the social worker was very concerned that Penny was picked up for shoplifting. I think the bigger issue with the social worker should have been that Willona left an 11 year old girl to fend for herself in a big department store. Not only did she leave her alone, but she left the store without Penny!!! What kind of parent lets a child be by herself in the city and lets her find her own way home to the ghetto?!? That should have been the bigger issue with the social worker.

we had mentioned this awhile back and i will stick with my opinion that i gave then: She should not have left her alone. How many times are we reminded over and over again how bad the ghetto is, how dangerous it is, etc. etc. etc. and then she went and did that? They could have written it that Willona was going to do some shopping in a nearby store and for Penny to meet her in front of that store. But I so agree with you. I know back in those days, us kids could pretty much go and do alot of things without worrying abt predators, molesters, etc. but! to leave her in a mall to what? fetch a taxi? c'mon, not so cool.

Willona was so concerned about MAN HUNTING that she told Penny-" I will see you at home"-lol

yeah it was real STUPID for Wilona to leave an 11 yr old alone at a store and to make her take a cab home..how stupid is that..REAL STUPID!!! and look what happened someone stole her wallet..it could have been worse.

yeah it was real STUPID for Wilona to leave an 11 yr old alone at a store and to make her take a cab home..how stupid is that..REAL STUPID!!! and look what happened someone stole her wallet..it could have been worse.
Exactly!!!!!!!! That should have been the moral of the episode, not the fact that Penny stole a necklace!!!! stupid writers.