Mom sells rule-breaking son's car

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

But they are legal adults. Regardless of where they live. And in some states, a 19 year old could press charges if a parent searches their room regardless of financial contribution. Even though the room is owned by the parent, they are providing this place for them. They are legally entitled to a level of privacy. Just because a 19 year old is not in a financial position to afford his own place should not prevent him from beginning an adult life with some adult privileges and make his own decisions, right or wrong.

Well, the fundamental basis of my position is that I don't believe that a 19-year-old who lives at home is an adult (amd therefore doesn't have an expected right to privacy, particularly in the case of a car someone else purchased for them). A 19-year-old living on their own and supporting themselves might be, but a 19 year old living at home receiving that degree of financial assistance from their parents just isn't an adult. Not yet. Numerical age doesn't play into it in the slightest - he could be 65, and as long as he was still living off of his parents' dime I'd say the same.

[gwenneh 7]

But they are legal adults. Regardless of where they live. And in some states, a 19 year old could press charges if a parent searches their room regardless of financial contribution. Even though the room is owned by the parent, they are providing this place for them. They are legally entitled to a level of privacy. Just because a 19 year old is not in a financial position to afford his own place should not prevent him from beginning an adult life with some adult privileges and make his own decisions, right or wrong.

Well, the fundamental basis of my position is that I don't believe that a 19-year-old who lives at home is an adult (amd therefore doesn't have an expected right to privacy, particularly in the case of a car someone else purchased for them). A 19-year-old living on their own and supporting themselves might be, but a 19 year old living at home receiving that degree of financial assistance from their parents just isn't an adult. Not yet. Numerical age doesn't play into it in the slightest - he could be 65, and as long as he was still living off of his parents' dime I'd say the same.

Whether or not he is a legal adult, possession of alcohol is still illegal under the age of 21. So he is semi-adult at best in the context of the law...old enough to die for his country, not old enough to have a beer before he does. If his mother wanted to stop him from doing something illegal - being in possession of alcohol, he is her son, it was her car, and that is her right.

She'd likely be the one having to bail him out after he was arrested for possession of alcohol as a minor, anyway.

I still don't agree that a 19-year-old living at home and having mommy buy his car is an adult, regardless of what you say the laws are. I have never in my life heard of such a law and am suprised it even exists. Kids living at home don't have any right to privacy - I didn't, and my kids sure as h*ll won't - particularly if I suspect them of breaking the law!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I still don't agree that a 19-year-old living at home and having mommy buy his car is an adult, regardless of what you say the laws are. I have never in my life heard of such a law and am suprised it even exists. Kids living at home don't have any right to privacy - I didn't, and my kids sure as h*ll won't - particularly if I suspect them of breaking the law!

No offense, but you'd be making a huge mistake if you treat them that way.

[gwenneh 7]

I still don't agree that a 19-year-old living at home and having mommy buy his car is an adult, regardless of what you say the laws are. I have never in my life heard of such a law and am suprised it even exists. Kids living at home don't have any right to privacy - I didn't, and my kids sure as h*ll won't - particularly if I suspect them of breaking the law!

No offense, but you'd be making a huge mistake if you treat them that way.

I didn't have any expected right to privacy, knew my parents could check up on me at any time (and they did!) and I don't feel it was a mistake on my parents' part. I just didn't do things that they would disapprove of until after I left home and could bail myself out if need be!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I still don't agree that a 19-year-old living at home and having mommy buy his car is an adult, regardless of what you say the laws are. I have never in my life heard of such a law and am suprised it even exists. Kids living at home don't have any right to privacy - I didn't, and my kids sure as h*ll won't - particularly if I suspect them of breaking the law!

No offense, but you'd be making a huge mistake if you treat them that way.

I didn't have any expected right to privacy, knew my parents could check up on me at any time (and they did!) and I don't feel it was a mistake on my parents' part. I just didn't do things that they would disapprove of until after I left home and could bail myself out if need be!

So what are you going to do when you lift your teenage son's mattress and find some girlie magazines? Or walk in on him when he's spanking the monkey?

[gwenneh 7]

I still don't agree that a 19-year-old living at home and having mommy buy his car is an adult, regardless of what you say the laws are. I have never in my life heard of such a law and am suprised it even exists. Kids living at home don't have any right to privacy - I didn't, and my kids sure as h*ll won't - particularly if I suspect them of breaking the law!

No offense, but you'd be making a huge mistake if you treat them that way.

I didn't have any expected right to privacy, knew my parents could check up on me at any time (and they did!) and I don't feel it was a mistake on my parents' part. I just didn't do things that they would disapprove of until after I left home and could bail myself out if need be!

So what are you going to do when you lift your teenage son's mattress and find some girlie magazines? Or walk in on him when he's spanking the monkey?

Nothing. I don't have a problem with porn, and as far as I know masturbation hasn't been made illegal. Possessing alcohol while underage is.

So to answer your question, I'll probably be embarassed, close the door, walk to my own room, and laugh. A lot.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

So he is semi-adult at best in the context of the law...

No, he is an adult who is not yet old enough to drink legally. But he's still an adult, and he, not his mother, would be charged if he's caught in possession of alcohol, for example. It's his responsibility not to drink (or at least not get caught), not his mother's responsibility to make sure he doesn't. Speaking in terms of laws, that is.

Not to take this too far off topic, but a drinking age of 21 is absurd. I know it's based on car accident statistics, but still, it's ridiculous.

The point of the story: The kid should get his own porn stash, apartment, and car so that he can spank the monkey unencumbered.

I think the subtext of the story is really all about spanking the monkey. Steve, thanks for calling it to our attention!

Edited January 9, 2008 by AOS despair

[gwenneh 7]

No, he is an adult ...

I suppose another fundamental difference in how "adult" is defined. Legally, yes - he is, numerically speaking, an adult. You're correct in that he would be charged...but who would be providing the bail? Isn't in her best interest to make sure he's not caught in the first place - particularly since the repercussions will affect everyone in the household, not just her son?

I think adulthood stems from more factors than the number of years since you were squirted out, personally! That is what I base my opinion on. Age alone does not an adult make.

And it's always about spanking the monkey. Everything eventually comes back to that.

Edited January 9, 2008 by Gwen666

[one...two...tree 2,762]

So he is semi-adult at best in the context of the law...

No, he is an adult who is not yet old enough to drink legally. But he's still an adult, and he, not his mother, would be charged if he's caught in possession of alcohol, for example. It's his responsibility not to drink (or at least not get caught), not his mother's responsibility to make sure he doesn't. Speaking in terms of laws, that is.

Not to take this too far off topic, but a drinking age of 21 is absurd. I know it's based on car accident statistics, but still, it's ridiculous.

The point of the story: The kid should get his own porn stash, apartment, and car so that he can spank the monkey unencumbered.

I think the subtext of the story is really all about spanking the monkey. Steve, thanks for calling it to our attention!

If you have a son, he'll be spanking that monkey, morning, noon and night. You'd think he'd go blind.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Every person deserves a certain right to privacy at any age regardless of living arrangement.

I still don't agree that a 19-year-old living at home and having mommy buy his car is an adult, regardless of what you say the laws are. I have never in my life heard of such a law and am suprised it even exists. Kids living at home don't have any right to privacy - I didn't, and my kids sure as h*ll won't - particularly if I suspect them of breaking the law!

No offense, but you'd be making a huge mistake if you treat them that way.

I didn't have any expected right to privacy, knew my parents could check up on me at any time (and they did!) and I don't feel it was a mistake on my parents' part. I just didn't do things that they would disapprove of until after I left home and could bail myself out if need be!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Well the mother paid for the car - I'm assuming she's the legal owner of the vehicle.

Still - I'm not sure why she thinks so highly of herself that she needs to take out an expensive ad, and extend it just to "get feedback". That seems rather egotistical.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I agree Number 6. She made it all about her! Probably some local dealership will bestow her a new car for even more "do the right thing" publicity.

Well the mother paid for the car - I'm assuming she's the legal owner of the vehicle.

Still - I'm not sure why she thinks so highly of herself that she needs to take out an expensive ad, and extend it just to "get feedback". That seems rather egotistical.

[Ban Hammer 13,347]

So what are you going to do when you lift your teenage son's mattress and find some girlie magazines? Or walk in on him when he's spanking the monkey?

i'd say it's high time i found a better place for my porn collection then

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Mine's safety tucked in my hard drive.

So what are you going to do when you lift your teenage son's mattress and find some girlie magazines? Or walk in on him when he's spanking the monkey?

i'd say it's high time i found a better place for my porn collection then

[one...two...tree 2,762]

So what are you going to do when you lift your teenage son's mattress and find some girlie magazines? Or walk in on him when he's spanking the monkey?

i'd say it's high time i found a better place for my porn collection then

Don't stash them under your car seat, either....apparently.