A parent's right to discipline

[capricorn]

A Gatineau, Quebec, father refused to let his 12-year old daughter go on a school year-end field trip as punishment for using the internet in a manner which he felt was dangerous. The daughter complained to the mother, his ex-wife, who retained a lawyer to challenge the father's disciplinary action.

Suzanne Tessier, a Quebec Superior Court judge overruled the father, allowing the teen to attend the field trip. The father is appealing the decision.

The father's lawyer Kim Beaudoin said the disciplinary measures were for the girl's "own protection" and is appealing the ruling.

"She's a child," Beaudoin told AFP. "At her age, children test their limits and it's up to their parents to set boundaries."

"I started an appeal of the decision today to reestablish parental authority, and to ensure that this case doesn't set a precedent," she said. Otherwise, said Beaudoin, "parents are going to be walking on egg shells from now on."

"I think most children respect their parents and would never go so far as to take them to court, but it's clear that some would and we have to ask ourselves how far this will go."

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h9kqGv...KNWFDWAg-mVfleg

Experts in family law and child welfare say they were dumbfounded by last Friday's ruling by Superior Court Justice Suzanne Tessier.

"As a lawyer and as a parent," said Ottawa family lawyer Fred Cogan, "I think it's state interference where the court shouldn't be interfering.

"I've got six kids," Cogan said. "I certainly wouldn't want a judge watching over everything that I do, and I wouldn't want my kids being able to run to the judge."

http://www.dose.ca/news/story.html?id=6aaf...09-5b53dcfffff0

Justice Suzanne Tessier should be removed from her job. If she is so lacking in common sense she's bound to come up with similar outrageous decisions in the future.

Apart from the fact that there should be limits to state interference in parental interaction with their children, if this ruling is not overturned it sets a very dangerous precedent. Ex-spouses on bad terms would flood the courts to resolve their differences in child rearing.

We're not talking child abuse where children need protection from their parent(s). This is a father concerned for his daughter's welfare, safety and moral development. The girl's mother appears to have been the instigator in this sorry episode. She would benefit greatly from parenting classes.

[guyser]

We're not talking child abuse where children need protection from their parent(s). This is a father concerned for his daughter's welfare, safety and moral development. The girl's mother appears to have been the instigator in this sorry episode. She would benefit greatly from parenting classes.

If the mother takes the dad to court, that is where the issue lies. Once it is in the system, they have to rule, although they could dismiss it.

I say the mom is the problem and is only out for vengeance. (based entirely on what you posted)

Stay silent dad. Payback is a beotch, altough the only one truly hurt is the kid. Wont she be a wonderful adult with her background.

[Guest American Woman]

If the mother takes the dad to court, that is where the issue lies. Once it is in the system, they have to rule, although they could dismiss it.

I say the mom is the problem and is only out for vengeance. (based entirely on what you posted)

Stay silent dad. Payback is a beotch, altough the only one truly hurt is the kid. Wont she be a wonderful adult with her background.

I can't understand why the court didn't dismiss it. The ruling truly boggles the mind. If it's not overturned in appeal, then there's definitely something wrong with the system. Kids today know that parents/teachers/adults can do little in response to the worst behavior. It's truly sad, because the kids are the biggest losers.

[capricorn]

The father in this case was the custodial parent. The daughter is 12 and she can legally decide who she wants to reside with. It looks like she has opted to move to her mothers. The child probably wants to live with the parent who would likely let her have her own way with discipline kept to a minimum. I remember I was very selfish when I was 12 and most of my decisions and action were for my own benefit. My sons (now adults) followed the same pattern. I don't know that children have changed that much in the intervening years although I may be wrong.

The mother was the one who took the daughter to see a lawyer. As guyser said, looks like she had her own agenda of retribution and to hell with her daughter's welfare. Ya gotta feel sorry for the kid, caught in a push-pull.

[guyser]

I can't understand why the court didn't dismiss it. The ruling truly boggles the mind. If it's not overturned in appeal, then there's definitely something wrong with the system. Kids today know that parents/teachers/adults can do little in response to the worst behavior. It's truly sad, because the kids are the biggest losers.

Lets hope it is overturned, although that is too late for the dad.

The kids today that know that little in response can be done are the ones with parents who are absent lazy and or useless.

But we all know that some moms and dads can and do rule the roost and can make life hell for a teen or child. I would suggest most of us had that type. I know it wasnt the cops I worried about since I figured I wouldnt get arrested, but worried more about the cops taking me home to mom or dad. Thats when I started shaking.

[Rue]

I can't understand why the court didn't dismiss it. The ruling truly boggles the mind. If it's not overturned in appeal, then there's definitely something wrong with the system. Kids today know that parents/teachers/adults can do little in response to the worst behavior. It's truly sad, because the kids are the biggest losers.

Totally agree with you. The Judge was on crack or something. Should have been thrown out.

The only business the court would have would be if there was some obvious seriously violent physical dimension attached to the punishment.

This is a crock.

[jbg]

Apart from the fact that there should be limits to state interference in parental interaction with their children, if this ruling is not overturned it sets a very dangerous precedent. Ex-spouses on bad terms would flood the courts to resolve their differences in child rearing.

We're not talking child abuse where children need protection from their parent(s). This is a father concerned for his daughter's welfare, safety and moral development. The girl's mother appears to have been the instigator in this sorry episode. She would benefit greatly from parenting classes.

If the father is the custodial parent the Court should, in my humble opinion, have no role.

[Remiel]

I would say that I would like to see the actual judgement, but unfortunately I do not read French (very well at all).

[sharkman]

This is just another sign that the Canadian justice system is dysfunctional and needs a big dose of common sense.

I even have hope that FTA Lawyer would side for the dad on this one even though he usually finds reasons to defend the judges.