should kids have the right to choose which parent to live with?

Answer 1

NO.. unfortunately kids will tend to chose the parent that is the "good time " parent rather then the one that actually has the appropriate parenting skills.. and i know this because i come from divorced parents and my father had custody of us.. and i always wanted to live with my mom because other then the fact that i of course loved her.. she let us do whatever we wanted.. ..my father had strict rules.. and made us strive to better ourselves.. and when i was younger i didnt understand, but now that im older i thank god every day that my father had custody of us.. because although i love my mother, shes not a very good parent.. and my younger half brother (whom she had custody of), started smoking at age 14.. drugs at age 16.. dropped out of school.. and started drinking at age 18.. and has had a few run in with the law.. and my mother knew about it all.. and although she didnt like it, she didnt do anything about it.. and i know that would of been my life had she of gotten custody.. if not worse.. Instead my oldest sister is married and works for the government.. my older brother has a masters degree in Mech. Engineering and works for NASA.. and Im happily married with a family.. and im currently going for a degree in Medical Sciences.... none of us have ever been in trouble with the law.. So i think my father raised some pretty good kids... so i think it should be up to a judge to choose which parent they think will have your best interests at heart..and be the better parent..

Answer 2

Not always. There are so many situations to think of. A kid may want to live with one parent over the other because that parent will spoil the kid. Sometimes a child will choose an abusive parent over the non abusive parent because they feel bad for the parent.

Each situation should be taken into account individually.

Answer 3

Children should NEVER been made to choose one parent over the other. If the children are over the age of 12 and the would like to live with Dad - let them live with Dad - and don't get all freaked out about it, heck he is their dad after all. In the end you will look like the bigger person.

Never ever make the kids pick one over the other - despite everything they love you both - equally.

Answer 4

I would say it depends on the ages of the children and the circumstances in which the divorce came about. If it was a type of divorce that both parties decided they simply could not live together anymore, or something socially acceptable, and the children were of age to make a decision (say age 12 and up) then I guess they would have the right to decide.

Answer 5

I have been divorce for almost 8 years now. My son was 4 years old when we divorced. We both wanted him to be a part of our lives so we decided to exchange custody every other week. One week I would have him and the next week he would have him. He is now 12 and still is not sure who he would like to stay with full time. He said because he loves me and he loves his dad too. So, if you can work it out with the ex-spouse than do so. When a child is 12 or 13 than he knows who he wants to stay with more so than the other parent. Anyway it is the children that matter!!!

Answer 6

I think it's important how they feel about it. They should be able to voice their opinions and be heard as far as who they would like to live most of the year with. I think both parents should sit with the child and weigh the pros and cons. Let the child understand both parental views on the child's feelings.

The key to a successful upbringing will be good communication between both parents with eachother and with the child. Leave the disagreements with the other parents between both parents only. These disagreements shouldn't tear the child between both parents.

Good luck.

Answer 7

Depends on the ages of the kids. If they are old enough to make a sound choice then they should, if not then it should be left up to the courts. I think when the courts look at they truly look at the best intrest of the children, but then sometimes they are not always correct.

Answer 8

I think so... I lived with my mom and although i love her to death, my step-dad treated me awful, and if I had the choice I would have lived with my dad. I would have missed my mom, but @ least I couldn't have been walking on glass all the time... If things are going on @ home, and maybe even if they aren't I think kids should have the right to choose...

Answer 9

I think a lot of this question depends on the childrens age. A lot of times in PA if the child is over the age of 12 the judge will ask who they want to be with and allow that to influence his or her decision which is nice.

Answer 10

ok i'm 13. My mum and dad were given divorced at the same time as i changed into 8 years previous. We did no longer have a decision, we lived with my mom and said my dad the different weekend. yet then i began arising some subject matters with my mom so i keen to flow in with my dad. it really is been going a million circumstances extra ideal and that i'm so happy I did it. do not difficulty about hurting your mum and dad thoughts, its your existence, do what you want with it. sturdy success sweetie :)