Every fan of the show knows that Riverdale is a crazy place where the kids' favorite hobby is solving crimes – in most cases, committed by their parents. So, apart from most of the adults being serial killers, gang or cult members, and criminals, many of them are also terrible parents who often act like they're on the "Jingle Jangle" daily.
Considering all this, it doesn't surprise that the show is full of flawed parenting decisions made by helicopter mom Alice, manipulative Hiram, or cold-blooded Penelope – just to name a few. Some of the parents' most questionable choices actually almost ruined their children's futures or at least gave them nightmares and... well, daddy issues.
Marty Being Abusive Towards Reggie
Signs of Marty's physical and emotional abuse towards his son were scattered throughout the show's entire run, but this problem was kind of ignored up until he made a scene at Reggie's Bulldog practice. This hot-tempered dad yelled and threatened to hit him, which he's unfortunately been doing for Regie's entire life.
When he's later seen with a black eye, Reggie explains it as a result of asking Marty about Gryphons and Gargoyles. This whole storyline got even more heartbreaking after Reggie confesses to Archie that he's secretly jealous of his ideal father-son relationship with Fred.
Juniper And Dagwood's Custody
Everything about Polly's parenting is quite problematic – starting with her twins' (to put it mildly) unusual names. Since Juniper and Dagwood were born, she's been raising them in a cult until its psychopath leader almost adopted them. However, the kids eventually ended up with the Blossom family and now they're in Cheryl's hands while Polly's locked away in an asylum.
But, Cheryl is still in high school and has to take care of old Nana Rose too (who technically has the custody of the twins), not to mention her mental health issues and plans for college, all of which raises a question: are the twins growing up in an adequate environment?
Alice Spending Betty's College Money
In her defense, Alice Cooper claims that her actions were guided by her fear of losing Betty when she goes to college. On top of that, she was influenced and brainwashed by Edgar Evernever's cult. Then again, it turns out that she was only working for the FBI the whole time to expose the Farm. Or something like that.
Whatever the case is, her generous donation was the real deal, so Alice definitely tried to ruin her daughter's future by giving away Betty's college tuition – especially without her knowledge and consent.
Everything That Hal Did To Betty
Hal Cooper has done some horrible things as a Black Hood; at the same time, he was an even worse father than he was a serial killer. He killed and strived to hurt Betty's friends, psychologically abused her, and persistently tried to convince her to think that she's just as evil as he is.
After all, he was hoping that she would one day follow in his murderous footsteps. However, the final straw was when he asked Betty to shoot him – otherwise, he would potentially have to kill her.
Hiram And Hermione Involving Veronica In Crime
It seems that many times, Veronica is just a pawn in her parents' illegal games, which resulted in their hot-and-cold relationship including (unquestionably) Veronica's daddy issues.
From Hermione forging her daughter's signature to her inevitable entanglement in illegal activities of Lodge Industries to continuous threats and manipulation from Hiram's side, Veronica had to grow up early just to catch up with her parents' evil plans to be able to fight them – or sometimes join them as an equally capable ally.
Penelope Not Protecting Cheryl From Nick
When Cheryl confided in her mother after she was drugged and almost raped by Nick St. Claire, Penelope's reaction was shocking. To be more precise, she basically told her daughter that she provoked the assault and that nothing bad actually happened to her.
To make things worse, Penelope insisted on dropping the charges against Nick and she, believe it or not, got paid. Therefore, Penelope's decision to support her daughter's sexual predator instead of protecting Cheryl for once is wrong on so many levels.
Gladys Leaving Jughead With FP
It would surely raise an eyebrow or two to see a mother take one child under her wing and leave another with his alcoholic gang leader dad. That's exactly what Gladys Jones did to Jughead when she moved to another town with his younger sister Jellybean.
After that, he was temporarily homeless and on bad terms with his father who was eventually arrested for the murder. Yet, for whatever reason she had, Gladys still refused to give him a place to stay, leaving her minor son (once more) to survive on his own.
Forsythe "Going For A Pack Of Smokes"
Season 4's episode "The Midnight Club" revealed some information about FP's past and, most importantly, about his father Forsythe. Sadly, it turns out that his old man was an alcoholic who beat up his wife and child regularly until, one day, he went for a pack of smokes and never returned home.
Although FP (in many aspects of his adult life) followed in his father's footsteps, he remained determined in a decision to never repeat his father's mistakes. For instance, the time when Forsythe broke FP's arm because he refused to join Southside Serpents and wanted to go to college.
FP Naming His Son The Serpent King
Considering that he didn't want to become a member of Southside Serpents himself, it's strange that FP involved his son in gang business to the point that he even gave Jughead his Serpent throne. It's certainly a questionable gesture to put that kind of responsibility on a teenage boy.
That's not to mention all the dangerous situations and shady people Jughead has to deal with instead of focusing on school and dealing with typical high school stuff. After all, he did almost die to save his Serpent friends, which could have been avoided if FP had taken parenting more seriously.
Sending Their Children To The Sisters Of Quiet Mercy
The show's most nightmarish place to visit is probably the institution called The Sisters Of Quiet Mercy. Undoubtedly, many fans wouldn't like to step a foot there (even if they could) because of all the unjustifiable things that the nuns are doing – mostly drugging the patients and brainwashing them. Tragically, Riverdale's parents use it frequently as an orphanage or some kind of mental health facility for their "problematic" offsprings.
Besides Penelope Blossom, who forced Cheryl into gay conversion therapy, Alice Cooper also sent all of her children to this spine-chilling nunnery at some point. Firstly Charles whom she put there for adoption, then Polly due to her teenage pregnancy, and lastly Betty because of her rejection to join the Farm.