Can a mother force her children to live in another country?

Question

If a mother and her children are all U.S. Citizens can she legally force them to live in another country?
Can they turn themselves into social services?

The father is not around or in their lives at all.
She is thinking of moving them to Ghana (West Africa). Where the standard of living and education is not as good as it is in the U.S.
They are 16 and 10.

Answer 1

Where is the father????

Yes, I suppose they could turn themselves over to the state, but is it something they would really want to do; going into the system of social services?
Is there a relative that would want them to live with them?
There are alot of questions to be answered first.
I have heard of children divorcing their parents, but it is a rare thing to do.

If the father is around, and it 's a custody thing; I have heard of fathers putting stipulations on such things as this. Not leaving the country and such.......Check on the legalities of the state they live in..........

Answer 2

The only way to avoid it would be to go to court and ask for independence, which they are unlikely to grant unless the children are nearly of age or the country is considered obnoxious.

Answer 3

If they are underage and are not being abused, then I think she can. It's her decision, not the government's.