From: lbs@cbnewsj.cb.att.com (lester.b.shupe)
Subject: Re: Non-consensual force - children & parents
Organization: AT&T
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1992 19:01:37 GMT
Summary: Libertarian party platform re:CHILDREN'S RIGHTS

In article <1992Dec11.042038.2272@genie.slhs.udel.edu>, starr@genie.slhs.udel.edu (Tim Starr) writes:
> In article <31011@nntp_server.ems.cdc.com> pwhite@ems.cdc.com writes:
<deleted stuff>
> }
> }In the Libertarian view do parents have the right to apply non-consensual
> }force on their children? (I am assuming the case that there is a difference
> }between discipline and abuse and am assuming that the Libertarian party
> >would support laws against abuse.)
> 
> Right?  No.
> 
> }For example, my kid wants to run into the street in front of on-coming
<deleted stuff>
> }with some of the more liberal elements that I am an unfit parent and
> }apply non-consensual force to me and take away my kid?
> 
> I'm not sure what the platform says about this, but here's my position:
> let the kid sue.  If he can prove to a jury of your peers that you injured
> him, then you'll have to make restitution.  However, I doubt either that
> this case would be pursuasive to a jury or that the damages would be
> very high.
> 
> Tim Starr - Renaissance Now! - Think Universally, Act Selfishly
> starr@genie.slhs.udel.edu
FYI, from the 1992 National Platform of the Libertarian Party:

----------------------begin CHILDREN'S RIGHTS-------------------

Children are human beings and, as such, have all rights of human beings.

We recognize that children who have not reached maturity need guardians
to secure their rights and to aid in the exercise of those rights.
We hold that guardianship belongs to those who must love and value
the child and his or her development, normally the parents and never
the state.

We oppose all laws that empower government officials to seize children
and make them "wards of the state" or, by means of child labor laws
and compulsory education, to infringe on their freedom to work or
learn as they choose.  We oppose all legally created or sanctioned
descrimination against (or in favor of) children, just as we oppose
government discrimination directed at any other artificially defined
sub-category of human beings.  Specifically we oppose ordinances that
outlaw adults-only apartment housing.

We also support the repeal of all laws establishing any category of
crimes applicable to children which adults would not be similarly
vulnerable, such as curfew, smoking, and alcoholic beverage laws,
and other status offenses.

Similarly we favor the repeal of "stubborn child" laws and laws
establishing the category of "persons in need of supervision".  We
call for an end to the practice in many states of jailing children
not accused of any crime.  We seek the abolition of "children's codes"
or statutes which abridge due process protections for young people.
We further favor the abolition of the juvenile court system, so that
juveniles will be held fully responsible for their crimes.

Whenever parents or other guardians are unable or unwilling to care
for their children, those guardians have the right to seek other
persons who are willing to assume guardianship, and children have
the right to seek other guardians who place a higher value on their
lives.  Accordingly, we oppose all laws that impede these processes,
notably those restricting private adoption services or those forcing
children to remain in the custody of their parents against their
will.

Children should always have the right to establish their maturity
by assuming administration and protection of their own rights,
ending dependency upon their parents or other guardians and
assuming all the responsibilities of adulthood.

Les

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