Thread: Parent's Rights, where do you stand?

Originally Posted by Mr. E

It's an issue that the states aren't handling, for one, and it is an issue important enough that I think it should have established federal standards for another. That is why I am in favor of an amendment for it.

States aren't handling this issue because it's a non-issue. Legislation on things like this is totally unnecessary when the issue isn't brought up to trial. No one is being prosecuted for spanking their child.

And again, you're a states' rights person. But is that only when the states' stances on the issues oppose your own?

Why should something as specific and as intimate as the way parents handle their children be handled at a federal level when such things as marriage and the death penalty are handled at a state level?

Also, do you find the UN convention objectionable? If so, why?

Originally Posted by Mr. E

I also think that children must be viewed as a right, because if having children was a privilege there would be tighter restrictions on reproduction and child care would be more strictly monitored and regulated.

I understand this is a response to Shinysides, and not to me. Nonetheless...

And where is this "right" being threatened to the point that it must be specifically enumerated? There are plenty of rights that aren't so specifically stated, and often times those rights which are stated in the Bill of Rights and elsewhere in the Constitution can and are interpreted broadly enough to cover things like this.

Originally Posted by Shinysides

I had to vote in favor of the UN treaty or whatever it is. I won't try to get too deep into it because I just read the OP and skimmed the replies, but I have to say I don't think that you should have the fundamental right to raise your child however you want. There are lots of people out there who have poor morals and would make terrible parents who are just pumping out babies. I don't necessarily think you should have to prove yourself a fit parent either, but it isn't a right by any means, having children is a privilege.

And how does one go about regulating such a "privilege"? Forced sterilization? Forced abortions? Otherwise performing procedures on a person that violates their bodily integrity?

Of course, I agree that children should be taken out of situations in which they are being abused, as they