[Wftl-lug] Funny use of Linux

[Paul M Foster]

On Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 04:43:32PM -0700, Troy Banther wrote:

>    There are different arguments on how much control a parent should or
>    should not have over their children on the internet.
>    Here is my approach. It is authoritative.
>    There is no such thing as privacy in a family.
>    Privacy is an illusion especially to a person who may or may not have the
>    adult reasoning process in-tact.
>    Ownership. I own the machines I give to my children to use on the
>    internet. I can reach across the network and review logs as-well-as look
>    at the router and track connections.

I have to agree with this approach. When did we come up with the idea that 
children have rights like adults? We curtail criminals' rights because 
they've shown they cannot be trusted to make wise decisions. Children have 
proven over the centuries that they generally also lack the faculties to 
make wise decisions. Thus they have the rights we as parents choose to give 
them.

If you choose to argue this point, let me give you an example. Say you 
believe that a child has a right to a roof over his head. You may change 
your mind when he or she deliberately burns down the house you paid for. Or 
the child has the right to health care. Until he or she stabs the doctor in 
the chest with a needle full of gamma globulin.

Are these extreme examples? Yes. (And no, I've never had these things 
happen with my daughter.) But they illustrate that the "rights" of children 
only extend so far, and are subject to the dictates of parents.

As a parent, my job is to ensure my child doesn't harm himself or other 
people, and has the tools to be a productive adult when he grows up. Thus, 
I have to use my best judgment to determine what rights and privileges I 
grant to the child, since the child cannot be presumed to *a priori* 
exercise good judgment on their own behalf. To the extent that the child 
exercises good judgment, I'm willing to grant rights and privileges. And 
just as quickly take them away when my trust is betrayed. If nothing else, 
in many cases, I may be held personally responsible or liable for the 
activities of my child. So not only must I protect the child, but I must 
also protect myself from that child as needed.


Paul
-- 
Paul M. Foster

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