Families and Children
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Status Quo Option: Keep the Existing Plank. For all platform categories
we have the option of doing nothing; that is accepting what the LP already
has.
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The LP Platform Currently Reads
The Issue: Government involvement in traditional
parenting responsibilities has weakened families and replaced family-taught
morals with government-taught morals.
The Principle: Families and households are
private institutions, which should be free from government intrusion and
interference. Parents, or other guardians, have the right to raise their
children according to their own standards and beliefs, without interference
by government -- unless they are abusing the children. Because parents have
these rights, a child may not be able to fully exercise his or her rights
in the context of family life. However, children always have the right to
establish their maturity by assuming administration and protection of their
own rights, ending dependency upon their parents or other guardians, and assuming
all responsibilities of adulthood. A child is a human being and, as such,
deserves to be treated justly. Parents have no right to abandon or
recklessly endanger their children. Whenever they are unable or unwilling
to raise their children, they have the obligation to find other person(s)
willing to assume guardianship.
Solutions: We recognize that the determination
of child abuse can be very difficult. Only local courts should be empowered
to remove a child from his or her home, with the consent of the community.
This is not meant to preclude appropriate action when a child is in immediate
physical danger.
Transitional Action: We would repeal all laws
that impede these processes, notably those restricting private adoption services.
In particular, we call for the repeal of all laws restricting transracial
adoption. We oppose laws infringing on children's rights to work or learn,
such as child labor laws and compulsory education laws. We also oppose the
use of curfews based on age. We call for an end to the practice
in many states of jailing children not accused of any crime. We call for
repeal of all "children's codes" or statutes which abridge due process protections
for young people.
[If you think the current LP position on this subject is acceptable, then
vote "yes" below. If not, vote "no" below. Either way, please consider the
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7 Comments (This is also the place for general comments about this plank
vs. comments about particular proposals.)
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