Does a 16yr old have the "right" to move out on his own with no parental intervention?

Question

Our 16yr old son has met a 32yr old woman online who has convinced him to move out of state and he is determined to do it. What can we as parents do to stop this child who has apparently lost his mind and believes he can live completely on his own w/an unfinished education and no job. We have considered a bootcamp or something similar but he is dead set against anything we suggest and we are afraid he is going to run away from home. What are his rights and our limits?

Answer 1

Because of his age limit, it's illegal for him to do pursue this much older woman (and maybe it's a 40-year old gay online internet predator, so be weary). It's also illegal for a 16-year old to be independent without a court ordered emancipation.

A good logical motivation and technique to him that you can try is to:
1) Tell him that when he's 32, she'll be almost 50. Yuck?
2) Compare the woman's age with his mother's. That might create a bad image or association for him.

Besides, this is just a stage all male teenagers go through (though not as intense as this case) where he feels that he needs to be with someone and that he's lonely. It's just the hormones kicking in... it'll wear off with time, pending it's being controlled now.

Boot Camp MAY help, but in all actuality, it won't tame the situation and the animosity towards parental figures that might develop. It's best to control it yourself and try to instill values relentlessly.

I wish you luck.


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Answer 2

Your son is a minor until the age of 18 unless the courts make him an emancipated minor, which is not likely to happen.

You need to find out who this woman is and file a formal complaint. She has no legal right to your son, and quite frankly I would have to question her motives (sexual predator is what comes to my mind).

You ultimately are still responsible for your son... He can run away and that would be a terrible thing... Is there anyone that he can talk to that might help him to make a smarter decision? Does he have a close friend who does NOT support this idea, or a relative he feels close to... My guess you and your husband are the last people he wants to hear from... I doubt he would cooperate with counseling although I would certainly give it a try...

My only other suggestion is try to talk to him with the idea "lets agree to disagree for the moment" Let hom know that you want to try to understand, and come up with a reasonable solution together...

I am so sorry that you are going through this...
Teens today are a handful and I wish we had better resources... I love the internet, but in the wrong hands it can be so dangerous... Not that the world isn't dangerous enough without that worry

Hang in there and best of luck

Answer 3

First off throw the computer out of the house or disconnect service to the Internet. Second no he is still a minor and has to obey your rules until he is 18. He can try to get divorced from both of you meaning he goes to court says some things about how he doesn't want to live with you anymore and a judge may or may not sign an order that says he is no longer in your custody. Throw him in Juvie. Send him to boarding school.

Answer 4

He is a minor child and you can put a stop to this. Who ever this 32 year old woman is, should be arrested!! What could she possibly want with a 16 year old boy? I say send him to boot camp and they will straighten him up really quick. He obviously has an attitude and thinks he is the boss and is running things. I would certainly show him that he is not!!!

Answer 5

Bootcamp sounds great. A 32 year old woman has NO business with a 16 year old boy. You need to get him help immediately before he ruins his life. Of course he is dead set against bootcamp... but too bad. Research places that can come pick him up.

Answer 6

Legally you are still his guardians until he turns 18, and unless you say he can go to bad he's stuck. Secondly you could bring this "woman" up on statutory rape charges if she has slept with him because he is still a minor and there wouldn't be any issue she'd be in a jail cell. Be weary of her she could be a man for all you know, or a pedophile. Good Luck.

Answer 7

CARLA,
I RECENTLY SAW A DR. PHIL SHOW WHERE AN UNRULY TEEN WAS ESCORTED FORM HIS HOME INTO A LIVE-IN FACILITY BY 2 STRONG ADULT STAFF. HIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TO BE DRUGS AND ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR OF HIS MOTHER AND SIBLINGS.
AS A MINOR HE HAS VERY LIMITED RIGHTS WHILE LIVING UNDER YOUR ROOF. I WOULD BEGIN BY REMOVING HIS COMPUTER FROM YOUR HOUSE. YOU CAN'T FORCE HIM TO BE A PRISONER. IF HE WANTS TO RUN AWAY FOR THE SAKE OF SEX -- THE OTHER WOMAN-- THERE IS NOT MUCH YOU CAN DO.
YOU COULD E-MAIL THIS WOMAN AS HIS MOTHER TO TELL HER YOU WILL SEEK HER PROSECUTION BY THE AUTHORITIES IN HER TOWN FOR WHAT WILL BECOME STATUTORY RAPE. YOU CAN ASK YOUR LOCAL POLICE FOR THEIR HELP WHERE CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN ARE CONCERNED.
IN THE MEAN TIME TAKE AWAY THE KEYS TO HIS CAR AND HIS MONEY. WHAT'S HE GONNA DO FOR $ AND TRANSPORTATION? GOOD LUCK, I FEEL YOUR PAIN.
JUST REMEMBER HE IS A MINOR AND HAS ASSUMED HE HAS RIGHT WHICH HE DOESN'T.

Answer 8

Oh HELL no!!!!! Does this "woman" know he's only 16??? Oh HELL no!!!!!!!! I think if I was his mother, I'd stay right by his side 24/7. I wouldn't let him out of my sight until this little online "fling" ends. Meantime, I'd file charges against this woman for trying to solicit a child for sexual purposes.

Answer 9

Let him run away. Let him see how hard it is. In Idaho, where I live, you could just call in to report him and they'd bring him right back to you. Most states won't let him move out on his own unless he has reasonable cause for emancipation.

Answer 10

You should not let him you are still his guardian until he turns 18, also you should let him see her for all you know she could be a 48 year old man

plus it danger es only if some one you know knows that person then go with that person you know!!!!!!!!!:)

make the right deicing!!!