Do parents have any right in deciding their childs future?

I recently met up with a friend of mine, of whom I had known throughout middle school, but moved due to his parents marital problems. He had lived with his mother for the past couple of years, and she seemed to be controlling his whole life. Since 7th grade, he had shared with me his life goals, and what he wanted as his career; which happened to be Computer Maintenance/Education. He had gotten a full scholarship to ITT Technical Institute, which is a decent school. When he told his mom, she immediately took the scholarship from him and threw it away, telling him he could only go to school for culinary or judicial purposes. He is currently working at Home Depot, at $9 an hour, living with his mom, who is making him work to pay for tuition at the cheapest culinary/judicial school she can find.

I think this is wrong beyond all recognition, a child should be able to decide what he/she wants to do for their future, and should not be decided for them. I know most of you will agree with me, but I have met quite enough people who support parenting of this magnitude to see that this topic has potential for a sophisticated debate.



Discuss.

 

From a juristic point of view, the parent with custody over the child has the legal rights to decide everything for the child. It's even against the law to change religions without your parents consent in Scandinavia. (Not sure about America and the rest of the world). Long story short; there's close to nothing your friend can do about it until he turns 18. He could file for an emancipation, but that would require him to be capable of providing food, shelter and clothes for himself.

From a personal point of view, it's unfortunate that parents don't allow their children to develope and make decisions for themselves. Children have to learn to set their limits, it's a necessary capability for living an adult-life with responsibility.

 

No, I don't think a parent has the right to make any decision that that child doesn't want to do. A child does need guidance, but not forced into something he wouldn't do on his own.

 

My mother always let me make my own choices from a young age. She always informed me of the consequences though. 100% of the time she was right and from that I began to trust my mothers word. My mother told me she doesn't care what career I choose in life as long as I get my diploma. I recently got accpeted by a modeling agency and my mother refused to sign the papers to release my photos. I had to give it up. She told me to wait until I was 18 because she wanted me to finish school. I'm mad at her for that but she is my mother.

People aren't naturally born with parenting skills.

 

Once the child turns 18, he won't have to worry about it. Until then, the parents do legally have the right to control him. As long as they are not hurting in any way, then they can continue. Sorry about your luck :S

 

He is an idiot for letting his mom throw away his schoolarship.
anyone under 15 there parents should control them
over 15... screw parents

 

He is an emotional kid. I'd expect he was too busy crying

 

Bitchy mom, but I think she was right. ITT, imo, is for losers... But that's a little over board.

 

a parent has a right to bring up and educate their children the best they can. I do not feel that they have the right to choose their childs profession.

 

Parents would most definitly want you to choose a certain career etc, and will support you and advice you, but good parents won't force you if your mind isn't with it.

 

I agree with you. I was in this very same circumstance. My Father wanted me to go to school and get my m.d. in CSIT. I told him that I would join the Marines and go to school. But, he declined the former and accepted the latter. So when I turned 18, I told him I was leaving and that was enough said. Now I have done two tours to Iraq and am almost done with my 3rd year of Computer Systems Information Technology bachelors degree.

 

I believe that parents should influence the child, but leave the decision up to the child.

Anyways, most people are 18+ when its time for them to go to college, therefore they have a final decision.

 

You parents always have the best interest for you, so what seems like an unfair or unreasonable decision, its always for the best.

 

This is not true.

 

Thats wrong
His mom ruined his life

 

Thank you. And I agree. NO THEY DO NOT.

 

Get off the computer before you say that, hypocrite.

 

I know many parents that force their kids into sports and are often more into them than the kids are, which is to me very unnessacary. I am usually allowed to make my own choices and I have a lot of freedom. But really, is that story true? Just because she threw away his scholarship doesn't mean he can't still go there, and once he's college age (18) he's legally allowed to make his own choices because he's no longer a minor.

 

Are you kidding me? Your parents aren't all-knowing superhumans. Even they make mistakes as I often see in my life. Parents are adults and adults can make mistakes. I cannot see how working at Home Depot is better than pursuing a Computer Maintenance/Education career after ITT tech.