Political Theory

Re: Age of maturity

Anonymous Coward — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:24:03 GMT

Why should there be an 'age of maturity'?

'My house, my rules' seems to take care of the coercion problem nicely.

The whole premise of the OP's argument seems to suggest that the parents have some sort of social/legal obligation to provide a living to their children up to some arbitrary, non-consentingly defined age. Next thing you know they (or 'society') will be obligated to provide them with 'rights' like education and health care and parents who violate these 'rights' will be dealt with by the full force of the Law.

Yup, either the parents or the children get coerced as long as one has a claim on the other by the mere fact of parentage.

Re: Age of maturity

Brainpolice — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:27:19 GMT

A two-fold pretext to any talk of children:

1. Children are not the property of the state.

2. They aren't the property of their parents either.

Re: Age of maturity

Caley McKibbin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:46:44 GMT

Andrew:

When they are able to logically state that they as a human and individual recognize their "rights", can justify through debate how and why they should be responsible for themselves, know in a pragmatic sense what is right and wrong, and not need paternal supervision of their actions.

Many people would fail that to death by old age.

Re: Age of maturity

ivanfoofoo — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:21:18 GMT

Solarist:

alimentarius:
So you don't agree that there should be a minimum age for buying alcohol for instance? Should the grocery stores decide themselves?

I think you will find that the market will decide on an drinking age. I doubt a free society would support Walmart pushing vodka on 10 year olds.

The grocery storesshould decide for themselves. Or even better. Regulation companies that certify grocery stores could, as part of their "certification", regulate the minimum age.

Re: Age of maturity

Solarist — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:53:39 GMT

alimentarius:
So you don't agree that there should be a minimum age for buying alcohol for instance? Should the grocery stores decide themselves?

I think you will find that the market will decide on an drinking age. I doubt a free society would support Walmart pushing vodka on 10 year olds.

Re: Age of maturity

DanielMuff — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:49:00 GMT

alimentarius:

So you don't agree that there should be a minimum age for buying alcohol for instance? Should the grocery stores decide themselves?

Answer my question first, then I'l answer your question.

Re: Age of maturity

nirgrahamUK — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:46:57 GMT

the age when you are able to afford to drink is probably important to this story somehow....

Re: Age of maturity

Jon Irenicus — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:44:22 GMT

So you don't agree that there should be a minimum age for buying alcohol for instance? Should the grocery stores decide themselves?

No, I don't.

Re: Age of maturity

alimentarius — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:16:08 GMT

So you don't agree that there should be a minimum age for buying alcohol for instance? Should the grocery stores decide themselves?

Re: Age of maturity

Andrew — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:22:52 GMT

When they are able to logically state that they as a human and individual recognize their "rights", can justify through debate how and why they should be responsible for themselves, know in a pragmatic sense what is right and wrong, and not need paternal supervision of their actions.

As far as I'm concerned that could be anywhere from 13 - 100.

All statutory rape laws when both partners consent should be abolished.

I wonder if some states have paternal laws for the old and elderly.

Re: Age of maturity

DanielMuff — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:37:32 GMT

No, libertarianism doesn't oppose all coercion. You could use coercion to recover your stolen property or to defend yourself. But to answer your question, this is a gray area. However, how would the state be any better at answering this question?

Re: Age of maturity

Capital Pumper — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:32:31 GMT

I don't subscribe to that feudalistic era of 'thinking'.

Age of maturity

alimentarius — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:30:35 GMT

Libertarians oppose coercion, but I guess we can all agree that children need to be coerced. But untill which age? What should the age of maturity be?