USA Legal system

Full of Hell · 04-06-2009, 06:51 PM

I am really annoyed that the USA legal system will allow a 16 yr old child to leave home if it is his will and nothing can be done about it. As a parent, I feel this is completely wrong. We, as parents, can not make our child go to a doctor, dentist, counseling, school, or take medicine if that child is 16 yrs old. Yet, we are held legally responsible until that child turns 18 yrs old.

What do you think? Have any of you had to deal with this?

SelfMedicated · 04-06-2009, 07:48 PM

Reminds me of that one chick Drew Barrymore, she divorced her parents cause they were fuckups. Kids that wanna leave need a judge to grant them that right, right or wrong? In that case a parent would not be liable for them. You know if a judge grants that right to a kid they must have good cause ,so I would worry more for the parent who clearly can not get a grip on their own life!

Full of Hell · 04-06-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SelfMedicated

Reminds me of that one chick Drew Barrymore, she divorced her parents cause they were fuckups. Kids that wanna leave need a judge to grant them that right, right or wrong? In that case a parent would not be liable for them. You know if a judge grants that right to a kid they must have good cause and then I would worry more for the parent!

Wrong, they don't need a judge. Only way they do is if they want to be emancipated. In order to be emancipated, they have to prove themselves able responsible. They have to have a home, and a job. If that were to happen, then yes, the parent would no longer be responsible. BTW, most of the time, not always, but most, it isn't the parent. These kids leave because they have severe issues, and don't want a parent to tell them right from wrong.

SelfMedicated · 04-06-2009, 08:42 PM

I have never heard of a 16 year old having the right to leave home unless it is found unsuitable by a judge. Even if your child is 17 and enters the military he/she still needs a parental permission so I am not sure about what you're saying. I myself tried to quit school at 17 to get a GED, my mom wouldn't sign for it so I had to finish school. I doubt very seriously I could have left home legally but couldn't quit school.

Full of Hell · 04-06-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SelfMedicated

I have never heard of a 16 year old having the right to leave home unless it is found unsuitable by a judge. Even if your child is 17 and enters the military he/she still needs a parental permission so I am not sure about what you're saying. I myself tried to quit school at 17 to get a GED, my mom wouldn't sign for it so I had to finish school. I doubt very seriously I could have left home legally but couldn't quit school.

check the state of Connecticut laws. At the age of 16, a child can leave the home and decide not to return home, yet, the parent is legally responsible until the child is 18. It's BS if you ask me. I'll try to find a link that proves this when I have more time. As for dropping out of school, you can drop out at 16, however, a parent has to give permission. If the child stops going to school at 16 and a parent didn't give permission, the parent is held liable. It's crazy.

SelfMedicated · 04-06-2009, 10:46 PM

Yea that is crazy I guess it is a state by state law sounds really F-ed up, just another f-ed up law in the United States.

twinkle toez · 04-06-2009, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Full of Hell

I am really annoyed that the USA legal system will allow a 16 yr old child to leave home if it is his will and nothing can be done about it. As a parent, I feel this is completely wrong. We, as parents, can not make our child go to a doctor, dentist, counseling, school, or take medicine if that child is 16 yrs old. Yet, we are held legally responsible until that child turns 18 yrs old.

What do you think? Have any of you had to deal with this?

It is pretty stupid... been there.. but you on the other hand can file a chins on him (child in need of services) That will stop your child from leaving..hopefully its a step you can do to at least attempt to persuade the kid to stay at home. my son when he was 16 charged a couple thousand dollars to my telephone calling his gf from new york he met when she visited.. He also flew to New York and called me when he wanted to come home.. I told him you got yourself there if you can do that you can get yourself home I will pick you up call me when your in Boston.. sounds kinda mean but I had been through hell and i was giving him tough love .. I did not want that happening every few weeks .. He ran away a few times I went looking for him in the dead cold of winter stayed awake crying all night .. while he was snuggled up in his friends house.. I found him a couple of times .. I put the fear of God into the other kids mother for letting him stay there which she never did again ..( back then I was scary) but he kept it up until he finally was on his own.. he is doing great he makes big money put himself through college for computers ..lives in california in a big house has a beautiful wife.. So it all worked out.. But I was half crazy during all of this and all i could do was my best to help him .. he now credits me with everything he has accomplished .. But he did what he did out of who he was .. I just think I helped instill the qualities you need to be a good person.Its tough raising kids especially on your own which I was ..My other son was 6ft 10 inches at 15 that was a whole other set of complications and I have a daughter who also rebelled.. they are all doing great today ..thank God and none of em was as bad as I was.

CameronT · 04-07-2009, 02:13 AM

Ive never been in this situation as a parent,
but I , at 16, left home.
I didnt need a judges consent to do it
I only needed to be emancipated, which took a lot.
But then I had a job, and a way to support myself in such a situation.
I think if the child can prove himself able to care for himself
and support himself with a job to pay his bills,
It would be ok.
When I became emancipated, my parents no longer had
control over me, and therefor werent responsible
for my actions, as I was a "legal adult" as soon as it happened.
The laws are different in different states of course.
Some say 16, some say 17, some say as low as 15.
I dont think its appropriate if the "child" cant take care of himself.
But if they can prove to have a steady job and be able to
support himself, and pay his own bills, I think its ok.

Full of Hell · 04-07-2009, 09:52 AM

He has no job, he has no stable place to live. He is going back and forth to different friend's homes, and my home. It's really frustrating.

**Cat** · 04-07-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Full of Hell

He has no job, he has no stable place to live. He is going back and forth to different friend's homes, and my home. It's really frustrating.

No it isn't frustrating. He's 16....still a kid but right now thinks he knows it all. Let him wander back and forth. Eventually his friends parents will get fed up of seeing him slob around their homes and tell him he can't stay there anymore. He'll probably try sleeping rough for a night or two, but soon come back home with his tail between his legs.

In the meantime as he's such a big man when he does show up any dirty clothes he drops bundles them into a plastic bin bag and leave them in his room. He'll soon run out of clean clothes.