Hot Topic (11/18): Should minor children be allowed to make decisions?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

Should minor children be allowed to make their own decisions?

For instance, should a minor child* be allowed to get a tattoo or piercing without parental permission?

Should a minor child be able to rent an apartment or quit school without parental permission?

Should a minor child be allowed to get married without parental permission?

Should a minor child be allowed to acquire a birth control prescription or get an abortion without parental permission?

* * *

Where do a minor child's rights begin and parental rights end?

*For the purposes of this discussion "minor child" is a child under age 18.

 

[BaBiiMaMa89]

if this was the case, apartments would get left abandoned by tattooed, pierced, uneducated kids that go around having sex because they have no consequences or parental control. so IMO the answer to the questions above is HELL NO!!

[Mergath]

I think that parents should have control over most of their minor child's decisions, because most teenagers just aren't well-enough equipped to see how their actions will affect their life ten or twenty years down the road.  However, I do think that minors should be able to make their own decisions regarding health care, assuming they are old enough to understand their options.  A parent shouldn't be allowed to, say, deny their child treatment for a serious illness because of their own beliefs.  A teenager should be able to get birth control or an abortion if they want it without having to get parental consent (as long as they are under the care of a doctor, of course).

[smcclure2005]

I am going to say HELL NO, not when their actions and decisions fall on me. I am responsible for every action that my child makes until they are 18 so until the child is the one held responsible for what ever they choose then no way. No on every example listed in the post. If my 16 year old can rent an apartment then they could pay their own bills like they are grown up. Every decision they make is on them and not me. Who will be supplying care food medical coverage ext.? Not me if they can make their own choices. It makes no sense to me. I say a child's right begins at 18 ( an adult) And in my opinion mine will always be there because I will always be her mom. They may not do as I say as adults but they will still listen.

[hsteele]

I am going to say no, to most of those. The last I am a little torn on. Abortions are a major procedure and most teenagers are not aware of that. I think a parent should be informed. I am prochoice by the way, but I think that choice should be one made by someone who has congnisance of what that choice trully is, and most 16 year olds are just not that grown up. As for BC, there is always a risk with medications. Again, a 16 year old might not be aware of family histories that could make hormonal BC an unsafe option.

[babie113]

no

[stormcris]

Yes, they should. My reason is that a minor can be tossed out of their house at the age of 16 and the parents not be required to provide for them. Without the abilities to do these things they would be left on the street with no way to help themselves. There are also many homeless runaways that could benefit from this and other kids who are in abusive situations.

[cjcharlie1959]

No on all accounts~but society is allowing minor children  to make decisions.  Children are raising themselves due to lack of parental control/intimidation. Take your pick.

[MomIWant]

IMO in general  - NO - as long as I am responsible for my minor child, I should be making the decisions.  However, with every rule, IMO there is exceptions....children who ARE responsible for themselves (i.e. kicked out home at 16), have no one looking after them and therefore MUST make their own decisions.

As for BC - I think if you ask for it, you should get it, no matter the age or the opinion of your parent.  If a child is asking for BC, they are in need of it & sometimes the abstinence rule just doesn't work.  BC is cheaper than a baby raising a baby.

[cagnew80]

No. I can't even believe this is a question.

Parental rights are seriously under attack in this country. People need to let parents parent, and the government needs to leave them alone.

Check out parentalrights.org and see what is going on that could eliminate most of your rights as a parent, and what you can do to help prevent this from happening.

[jmlmomma]

Not bashing, just asking.

What state can you "toss" your minor child out at 16? Here in Fla, You have to sign a statement saying you are abandoning your child, for it to be LEGAL. Even is the kid is beating the shit out of you and telling you it will kill you in your sleep, The police can do nothing about until you abandon them. (LIVED THIS, my sister did this to my mom, while my MOM was dying from brain cancer).

ANSWER to OP. No

Quoting stormcris:

Yes, they should. My reason is that a minor can be tossed out of their house at the age of 16 and the parents not be required to provide for them. Without the abilities to do these things they would be left on the street with no way to help themselves. There are also many homeless runaways that could benefit from this and other kids who are in abusive situations.