Well, it sure scares the hell out of innocent parents. After that, my SIL and BIL could barely discipline their kids without the kids threatening them with calling the authorities. Hence, the kids quickly went out of control (and still are)

There are fewer false allegations of pet abuse.

I don't see that as a reason to diminish children's rights. False allegations should carry penalties!



I don't see how this is relevant.

__________________
Not many people know this, but I'm really famous!

Parents often don't understand their rights in this regard, and it leaves them feeling powerless. My kids and I have had many candid discussions about the issue of calling child protective services. I've never beaten my kids, or abused them in any way, but we do have rules and structure in my family, and there are clear consequences for breaking the rules. These might include being assigned extra chores, losing privileges, and even, in a couple of instances, losing your door to your room (privacy is not a right, it's a privilege).

Parents are legally and financially responsible for their children until they are 18, unless the child is emancipated at 16. Based on that: my house, my rules. But, I am also pretty mellow. I'd say that the key to parenting in this era is to pick your battles wisely.

Parenthood is unworkable if children have full rights.




It's relevant because I've never heard of anybody being falsely accused of pet abuse. I've heard of numerous people falsely accused of child abuse. If all that were falsely accussed of child abuse had their children taken away during investigation, it would be disastrous for most of the children. I can't imagine anything more cruel than a child being taken from nonabusive parents due to a false accusation of child abuse.

With all due respect, that is just an insane statement. But I guess it really comes down to what you mean by "full rights". Children should have civil rights independent of their parents. those rights should include the right to sever the parental rights if cause can be proven.






So should we do away with penalties for rape because so many women falsely accuse people of the crime? The fact that there is some abuse happening is insufficient cause to do away with rights.

__________________
Not many people know this, but I'm really famous!

And I've never denied the above. I just don't think that kids should have full civil rights. I do think that parents should have control of their children's lives, at least until the parent has been proven to be unfit by a jury of their peers.







The problem is that you're talking binary. You think the two options are all rights or no rights. It's not that way. Kids should have rights, but not the full rights of adults. Kids should have the right to food, healthcare, humane treatment, education and safety. Parents have the responsibility to provide those rights. If parents don't provide those, the kids should be removed from their custody.

I guess somewhere you misinterpreted my comments. I never said that children should have rights identical to adults. I agree that would be detrimental. They should, however, have the right to bring action against their parents to terminate parental rights if there is neglect and/or abuse taking place, and the question of abuse or neglect should be the focal point, not the parent's "constitutional right" to basically own their children.

__________________
Not many people know this, but I'm really famous!

Our differences in viewpoint are minor. Children do have the rights you think they don't.

Maybe they do on the books, but they do not translate to what happens in family court! I know one thing for certain, termination of parental rights is very very very rarely done, but there are a lot of cases that warrant it!

__________________
Not many people know this, but I'm really famous!

Maybe. I'm doubtful, but I have no doubt you truly believe that.