Lancet Jades
03-09-2004, 03:55 PM
For those of you who are in the US (and even those that arent), what do you think of the rights of minors (persons under the age of 18), in this country?
Personally, i think they are opressed way too much. True, they need supervision to some extent, and are NOT as mature as adults on a lot of situations, but nonetheless, they deserve more than they are getting. In the other thread about the voting age in CA being lowered to 14, the system they lay out is good.
I also think kids, or at least teens, should have SOME say in decisions, whether they are local, state, or federal legislation, that affect them. Politicians in a place far away from where you live, as a minor, can basically dictate to you what exactly you're gonna do, and you have to do it, or suffer consequences. True, its like that for adults too, but even moreso for minors. Schools are getting tougher in all respects, and the justice system is charging more and more kids as adults.
That is perhaps one of the big things i have problems with. In a justice system that is so technical and "by the letter" that it sometimes often ives CRIMINALS all the rights, and the VICTIMS are the ones who get ****ed over, it is amazing that for the case of underage offenders, that they sometimes get tried as adults. Not that i'm against a 17-year-old who killed 10 people being thrown in jail for life, but in a world where everything else for minors is so strict and solid, i find such a thing unfair.
Another thing i find unfair (that was brought to my attention in HS), was that minors get taxed if they have a job. True, that may seem ok, but think about it. If minors have no voting capability, then isnt that "TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION?" The very principle that contributed to the 13 colonies breaking off from England, and starting the Revolutionary War? Minors who work are taxed just the same as adults, yet have absolutely no way for their voice to be effectively heard. Remember, "Taxation without representation is tyranny." Thus, the government is tyrannizing minors who works.
Yet another issue are laws regarding things such as money for minors. Technically, under the law (minors, dont let your parents read this part), "parents can LEGALLY take any and all money you make, find or acquire in any way without you (the minor) having ANY say in it." The justification for that is that minors arent mature enough to handle the concept of money, and thus it would be better for the parents to have it, should they desire to take it. And, upon turning 18, they do NOT have to return the money they "took" to you, as far as i know.
True, minors aren't the most mature people in the world, due to their age. However, the rights they have, or lack, are appauling if you take a look at them. Its surprising how limited your rights would be if your parents, etc, exercised their full capabilities under the law, and yet, you would be absolutely 100% powerless to stop them.
So, post your thoughts on all of this material please. And please, don't just make a quick 5 word statement agreeing either; put some thought into it.
(PS: If any of the information i have presented is wrong, feel free to correct me)
Personally, i think they are opressed way too much. True, they need supervision to some extent, and are NOT as mature as adults on a lot of situations, but nonetheless, they deserve more than they are getting. In the other thread about the voting age in CA being lowered to 14, the system they lay out is good.
I also think kids, or at least teens, should have SOME say in decisions, whether they are local, state, or federal legislation, that affect them. Politicians in a place far away from where you live, as a minor, can basically dictate to you what exactly you're gonna do, and you have to do it, or suffer consequences. True, its like that for adults too, but even moreso for minors. Schools are getting tougher in all respects, and the justice system is charging more and more kids as adults.
That is perhaps one of the big things i have problems with. In a justice system that is so technical and "by the letter" that it sometimes often ives CRIMINALS all the rights, and the VICTIMS are the ones who get ****ed over, it is amazing that for the case of underage offenders, that they sometimes get tried as adults. Not that i'm against a 17-year-old who killed 10 people being thrown in jail for life, but in a world where everything else for minors is so strict and solid, i find such a thing unfair.
Another thing i find unfair (that was brought to my attention in HS), was that minors get taxed if they have a job. True, that may seem ok, but think about it. If minors have no voting capability, then isnt that "TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION?" The very principle that contributed to the 13 colonies breaking off from England, and starting the Revolutionary War? Minors who work are taxed just the same as adults, yet have absolutely no way for their voice to be effectively heard. Remember, "Taxation without representation is tyranny." Thus, the government is tyrannizing minors who works.
Yet another issue are laws regarding things such as money for minors. Technically, under the law (minors, dont let your parents read this part), "parents can LEGALLY take any and all money you make, find or acquire in any way without you (the minor) having ANY say in it." The justification for that is that minors arent mature enough to handle the concept of money, and thus it would be better for the parents to have it, should they desire to take it. And, upon turning 18, they do NOT have to return the money they "took" to you, as far as i know.
True, minors aren't the most mature people in the world, due to their age. However, the rights they have, or lack, are appauling if you take a look at them. Its surprising how limited your rights would be if your parents, etc, exercised their full capabilities under the law, and yet, you would be absolutely 100% powerless to stop them.
So, post your thoughts on all of this material please. And please, don't just make a quick 5 word statement agreeing either; put some thought into it.
(PS: If any of the information i have presented is wrong, feel free to correct me)