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Path: utzoo!laura
From: laura@utzoo.UUCP (Laura Creighton)
Newsgroups: net.politics.theory
Subject: Re: Reproduction -- Response to Sykora
Message-ID: <5534@utzoo.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 23-Apr-85 11:38:48 EST
Article-I.D.: utzoo.5534
Posted: Tue Apr 23 11:38:48 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 23-Apr-85 11:38:48 EST
References: <1073@ratex.UUCP>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
Lines: 30
Keywords: DeLeon

The other argument that I have heard from liobertarians is that raising a kid
is like having a job. You must be free to quit your job. The people who become
parents do not know what a hassle becoming a parents is, and so they have
acted agaisnt their own self interest and should be allowed to rectify matters.

I have no problem with allowing people to give their unwanted children
away to people who want them - but what do you do with unwanted kids which
nobody else wants either? It is a rahter tough question. Should the kids be
forced to live where they are considered a tresspasser? Shold they be turned over
to private charities? [no public orphanages, this is Libertaria, okay] You
cannot force their parents to love them -- should you force them to pay for
their upkeep even if they do not live at home? There are other problems.

Some teenagers turn out very badly, despite the best efforts of their parents.
If your 15 year old son is an armed robber, you may not want him at home for
reasons other than merely regretting that you got into the parent business
in the first place. Can you ban him from your house? His room?

Personally, I don't think that anybody should be forced to live with anybody
they don't want to -- but parents are financially responsible for their
children until their children either start earning enough money to support
themselves or reach an certain age. But what do you do with people who
are never going to be able to earn a living due to menatl or physical
disabilities...

I suspect that most parents will continue paying for such children but
they too are worthy objects of charity.

Laura Creighton
utzoo!laura