The definition of what constitutes abuse is sliding so far that soon picking one's nose in front of kids will be considered abuse worthy of State intervention!
There are definite cases in which the State needs to protect kids from their parents. But unless the kids are in physical danger, sexual danger, or their health is in jeopardy, parents should pretty much rule how their kids are raised without fear that some government agency is going to snatch the kids.
PUBLIC OPINION > Octomom's Kids Should Be Taken Away
SodaHead Celebs
2012/04/26 13:00:00
Nadya "Octomom" Suleman has 14 kids, and her money troubles are no private matter. When she posed nude for a tabloid in December, she said it was for the money. But just how bad is she hurting? Based on a handful of photographs TMZ got a hold of recently, pretty friggin' bad. Her walls are covered in graffiti, she's got training toilets out back, the kids appear dirty and pantless, and there are even some shots of a door wedged shut by a chair. It was bad enough to get the Orange County Department of Children and Family Services on the case, so we asked the public if she should lose custody.
As much as it pains some of us to say it, those kids might need stability more than they need their mommy. The pictures are bad, and her public persona doesn't do much to quell suspicion. The pictures were reportedly taken by her hairstylist, and the Top Opinion noted, "[Am I] the only one who has a problem with her being able to afford a HAIR STYLIST while her kids live this way?" There are clearly some confused priorities in place here. On the other hand, it's tough to condone prying kids from the hands of their mother, especially when you don't know the whole story. Not everyone was willing to make the call.
No Sympathy From Young Voters
Not only did the youngest voters support taking Suleman's children away from her, but pretty much every age group under 45 was two-thirds in favor. Older voters were about 21% less likely on average, but even then it was a few points below a split decision. No demographic weighed too heavily in Suleman's favor.
Not only did the youngest voters support taking Suleman's children away from her, but pretty much every age group under 45 was two-thirds in favor. Older voters were about 21% less likely on average, but even then it was a few points below a split decision. No demographic weighed too heavily in Suleman's favor.Parents Get a Little Protective
Though support for removing the kids from her custody ran well into parenting age, when we separated the parents specifically we found less enthusiasm. Parents were 21% more sympathetic to Suleman. Few parents can bear to pull kids away from their parents. Those without kids were less able to put themselves in her shoes.
Though support for removing the kids from her custody ran well into parenting age, when we separated the parents specifically we found less enthusiasm. Parents were 21% more sympathetic to Suleman. Few parents can bear to pull kids away from their parents. Those without kids were less able to put themselves in her shoes.Drinkers Don't Trust Octomom
Interestingly enough, the voters you might presume to have the most questionable judgment were significantly more likely to throw up a red flag. Drinkers were 18% more likely to say Octomom's kids should be taken away. Smokers also leaned more toward lost custody, but only by 5%.
Interestingly enough, the voters you might presume to have the most questionable judgment were significantly more likely to throw up a red flag. Drinkers were 18% more likely to say Octomom's kids should be taken away. Smokers also leaned more toward lost custody, but only by 5%.If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our poll about Octomom. We'd love to hear from you!
Top Opinion
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cellophane 2012/04/26 16:22:09
A friend of mine had her 4 kids taken away by Social Services and was given 2 weeks to get her house cleaned up, then they would be returned to her. She was almost near being a hoarder. So a bunch of her friends pitched in hours and a couple of days to get her place taken care of.
But she was a Terrific single Mother, just a little overwhelmed, their are alot of people in society that are willing to help people.
I would have loved to grow up with alot of siblings. I consider kids that grow up in big families very fortunate and hard times makes them turn out to be better people . In our society the necessities of living are always available. I grew up very poor. But I am grateful now to have grown up like that, because I have great memories of my interactions with my brothers and sisters.
My neighbor has a young son, one day the mom accidentally locked her and her son out of the house when he needed to go to the bathroom, so she took him around to the side of the house and he went #1 in the bushes. After that he kept going in the bushes. He was a KID. At least she had them going in portable potties than in the grass like dogs! And I can't tell you how often I drew on the wall (although it looks like spray paint which is kind of weird).
She needs to get her priorities straight, (maybe not spend so much for hair), but it doesn't look like she's keeping her kids in total squalor.
That is not easy even with one or two kids sometimes.
Gee, thanks SodaHead. You know, just because you drink doesn't always mean you have bad judgement. I'm pretty sure there are a heap of people who have screwed their lives up due to bad judgement and they don't drink.