Big FREEDOM! Stuff > The Philosophy of Freedom/Libertarianism/Doctrine of free will
Moral Theory of Non-aggression
Owl:
I've reconsidered calling dependent children the property of their parents, even if only from a philosophical perspective. The fact they are human beings mean they cannot be the property of any other human being without violating the moral theory above and the NAP. Thank you for driving that point home.
However, because the child's existence is the consequence of the parents' actions and because it is completely dependent on others for survival, I'll just say that the parents are obligated to provide for the child in order to avoid causing harm.
FreedomIsOurDestiny:
--- Quote from: Owl on June 24, 2016, 09:07:51 PM ---However, because the child's existence is the consequence of the parents' actions and because it is completely dependent on others for survival, I'll just say that the parents are obligated to provide for the child in order to avoid causing harm.
--- End quote ---
I would say that the parents have an obligation, but not that they have to provide for the child, but rather they need to assure that the child will be provided for. I might even go a step further to say it's the obligation of all in contact with that child to make sure their needs are being met and rights upheld.
SurfManDan280:
--- Quote from: FreedomIsOurDestiny on June 25, 2016, 05:16:12 AM ---
--- Quote from: Owl on June 24, 2016, 09:07:51 PM ---However, because the child's existence is the consequence of the parents' actions and because it is completely dependent on others for survival, I'll just say that the parents are obligated to provide for the child in order to avoid causing harm.
--- End quote ---
I would say that the parents have an obligation, but not that they have to provide for the child, but rather they need to assure that the child will be provided for. I might even go a step further to say it's the obligation of all in contact with that child to make sure their needs are being met and rights upheld.
--- End quote ---
I second your sentiments, Freedom. I feel parents have a responsibility to ensure that the child IS cared for, not that they necessarily need to provide the care. This would allow for things like adoption and foster care. It takes a village to raise a child and every person that a child comes into contact with has an impression on their lives. I think that a non-violent community upholding the NAP would be the best society to raise a child in, and most members of that society would be happy to help provide resources for children.
Magnaniman:
Now that we all seem to be more or less in agreement, let me stir the pot a bit...
Not to make anyone second guess themselves, but the goal of parenting, it seems to me, is to help a person learn to be a person. If you have a child that is hellbent on sticking his or her hand into a fire or coins into electrical sockets, how do you handle it? In some cases, of course, you can let them learn the hard way, but in others there must be some measure of discipline. For a child's well-being, there needs to be some aspects of decision-making that are outside of the child's control. This, of course, is most evident with infants, but as a person gets older, it becomes much more questionable.
Every culture I can think of has rites of passage and societal recognition of adulthood. I think that's an important aspect of life that we've all but lost. Frankly, using the ages of 18 or 21 is just crazy. People are capable of decision-making and self-determination much earlier than that. In fact, I think it damages us to be denied the right to choose for ourselves after we are capable of it; we're creating a bunch of lifelong children. Look at colleges; they're full of 20-somethings that are referred to and treated like children. It's awful.
For quite some time, I've said, "If you raise a child, when you're done, you still have a child." Growing up is all about learning to take responsibility for yourself and being denied that opportunity may be the worst crime that is being perpetrated by our culture. I think that we can help people to develop and take responsibility by publicly recognizing their accomplishments and growth.
Any ideas of what milestones and rites of passage you guys would like to see in a perfect society?
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