when is a minor chil entitled to Freedom of Speech?

Question

my minor child is using the "Freedom of Speech", when it comes to her chores & using it for argument sake when it is time to do chores or other things at home , what are my rights as a parent & can i make her do the chores ? i have asked.

Answer 1

The 1st amendment gives citizens of the United States a civil rights protection against the federal government. When a similar statute is part of a State Constitution, it gives freedom from that government as well, and by incorporation all local governments (including school districts). This speech is limited in that it cannot create a substantial risk of harm.

The 1st amendment does not apply to family relationships. For argument's sake, if it did then you would be "The Government" because you legislate laws of your household. The 1st amendment does not permit citizens to disobey laws. If one disobeys the laws, they have to pay the consequences. Sometimes disobeying a law is a sometimes necessary form of speech known as civil disobedience. A person will get themselves arrested. For instance, Henry David Thoreau refused to pay his poll tax (taxed to vote) because he was in opposition to slavery and the Mexican American war. This sort of speech is considered appropriate because it is a protest against a law or establishment that runs contrary to Natural Law. Natural Law is the law of nature that does not need to be written down for it to be considered. Our forefathers used this concept as the reasoning to rebel against England. Most of the concepts spoken of in the Constitution and other Revolutionary documents have to do with this (All Men are Created Equal).

But your child cannot claim civil disobedience from your chores because such disobedience runs contrary to the Natural Law. Since the beginning of families, children have been obligated to obey their parents and to "Honor thy Mother and thy Father". It is part of the custom and heritage of every civilization on the earth and one of the secrets of survival. We have found evidence of cave men from 20,000 years ago who were old and handicapped yet still looked after by their families.

In conclusion, you right as a parent to force your child to do chores is part of the Natural Law which no legislature can form laws against. You would be interested to note that written into every state constitution is a special priviliedge in the assault and battery section. It permits parents to discipline their children with physical force. If your child wishes to go by the law, you can point this out. This priviledge extends until they reach the age of majority which is 18 or 21 in some states. The law also permits you to evict your child at the age of majority, even if they haven't finished school.

The Natural Law was explained by Emperor Justinian of the Roman Empire. You could say, "By the authority of Emperor Justinian, I command you to unload the dishwasher." It is very difficult to get around that.

Answer 2

You need to tell her that she owns NOTHING and that she lives in YOUR home because you LET her! Give her all your bills for the month and tell her when she can pay them all that you'll GLADLY give her some "Freedom of Speech"! She is a minor and has ZIP for rights! Especially in YOUR home. I think she is under the misguided impression that at some point her position as the child has super ceded YOUR position as the PARENT!

Pack her a bag and put it out the front door with her things in tow. I used that one on my daughter once........she NEVER got fresh again!

Answer 3

tell her that as she is a minor, she's not granted the same "free speech" rights as you are, or the same other rights for that matter, and as a minor, you're telling her to do what's in her best intrests, and she has to do them for that reason, she's using the constitution in a context that will not apply to her until she's 18
if she keeps it up, just ask her if she'd rather be treated as an adult, and if she says yes, then make her get a job, she'll either be responsible or get the point and shut up

Answer 4

I guess your daughter can have all the freedom of speech she wants. But that doesn't keep her from having to do her chores.

Clever child by the way - clever parent? Oh well... :-)

Answer 5

If you are in the United States, I assume you are referring to the First Amendment. It has no application to the situation you're discussing – it has to do with the government not passing laws inhibiting freedom of expression.

Answer 6

1. Tell her to find the actual first ammendment.
2. Tell her that you ain't Congress.
3. Take away TVs/iPods/Computers. Then tell her to find a freedom of entertainment ammendment.

Answer 7

you are letting your child dictate to you what he/she is going to do?? Seriously??