Who pays the Piper?

I remember at sixteen thinking how much more I knew about the world than my parents. Afterall, they had to drop out of highschool to look after thier families. How could someone who knew nothing of the theory of pythagorus, know more about the world than me. Once I moved out and began life on my own, I became aware of how naive I really was. Simple things like the actual cost of living expenses were alien to me. I soon found out that I could not have all the things I wanted, and eat too. I learned how easy it is too get a credit card, but also how scary it is to have creditors calling you, with an endless littany of threatening speeches. Yet, the powers that be, in their infinite wisdom, have seen fit to given a 16 year old kid total control over their lives. We know from past experience, that teenagers more often than not, make decisions based on what seems good at the momment. Thats not to say that there is anything wrong with that. They do not have the vast amount of past experience that we have to draw on. After all, at 16 you should be able to make decision, and start working towards independence. However, to allow them to make life changing mistakes without any input from those who care most about there future, is nothing short of child abuse. To hammer home the point, a sixteen year old cannot be tried in an adult court. However, a sixteen year old, can quit school, take drugs, move out with thier boyfriend/girlfriend, and the parents must sit by and wait for the train wreck. Nothing is as scary, and as heart wrenching.Meanwhile the department of social services is waiting with a fist full of our tax dollars to put them up in an apartment, and pay them a living allowance.After the dust settles, when the child drops out of school, gets pregnant, and is forced onto the welfare system, it is the taxpayer who sufferes the consequences.According to the government, you are responsible for your child until he/she reaches the age of 18, and in some cases beyond. However, a child who reaches the age of 16, is not obliged to follow any parental, or household rules.This is the ultimate oxyMORON.

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