In the age of stupidity, we as a race have managed to take the absurd to a whole new level. Let's recap. In the last few weeks, the President of the United States gifted the Queen of England with an iPod, complete with uploads of his speeches. He did not, however, deem it necessary to grace her with a bow, as he did the King of Saudi Arabia. In America, it seems that multiple people have been struck with the sudden urge to go on killing rampages, decapitating their five year old sisters and shooting up nursing homes. In the United Kingdom, a 12 year old is a father, and then he is not. Schools across America are banning high fives. A 12 year old girl in Canada sued her father; and won.
Yeah, you read that right. No, she didn't sue him for abusing her. She didn't sue him for taking advantage of her, or treating her inappropriately. She sued him for grounding her from a school field trip.
Her crime? Accessing chat sites online that had previously been banned in the household. Uploading "inappropriate" pictures of herself using a friends computer.
Her punishment? Not being allowed to attend a school trip that her mother (who, at the time, lived separate from her husband and child) said she could go on.
Her response? Not screaming. Not crying. Not even sneaking out. She took her father to court. Suzanne Tessier, the judge presiding over the case, sided with the 12 year old. The court lifted her grounding. Of course, the father and his attorney are already working on an appeal, but what good is that going to do?
Obviously, other children are going to hear about this case. They are going to say, "Hey. If she could do it, why can't I? I don't want to be restricted from TV because I wouldn't eat my green beans, so I'm going to sue my mother". Parents are going to be constantly on the look out for signs that their preteens have contacted an attorney.
This girl's relationship with her father will never be the same. She's twelve years old! What is she going to do when she needs a father's guidance? "Hey Dad, I'm really sorry about suing you three years ago. But I've got this guy that I really like, and I was wondering if you could tell me if he likes me for me, or for my body"? Or maybe, "Look, I know I sued you and all, but will you walk me down the aisle next weekend? It's sort of my wedding..."? What about him? Will he ever be able to trust his sweet little girl again? Can he ever be around her without expecting her to stab him in the back?
What's next people? Will two year olds actually get an end to nap time? Will four year olds sue for emotional damage? Will eight year olds begin demanding equal rights in their households? Where will it end?
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As terrible as this may seem, I believe it. I just hope the Parental Rights Amendment passes in the US--pray for Dr. Farris! In a decade, will this insipid girl be able to say, "I was very well guided throughout my childhood"? Oh, she probably will--she'll other "influences" guiding her along the way, helping her make the "right" choices, and be her best "friends," "mentors," and--God forbid--"parents." If the UN "Rights of a Child" passes in the USA....
ReplyDeleteI know this is completely unrelated to your post, and for that I'm sorry, I just wanted to say I loved your "10 ways to annoy your table" list you did! As a server, I found that guy's post about 10 ways to annoy your server was pretty rude (even if it was done in jest) considering how hard the job really is and how terrible it can be. That's all. Thank you :)
ReplyDeletea lady in Vancouver once told me a similar incident. A Pakistani father did not appreciate his 14 year old daughter having a relationship with a 30ish year old guy. He grounded her. She sued him.
ReplyDelete....."these Canadians are Crazy"
Katy, thanks! I was a little annoyed that anyone would want to think of ways to annoy their server. I love my job, but I hate it when people think that I'm a minimum wage robot there to do their bidding.
ReplyDelete