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
Oh I see. Madcow bought up all her books to give away. What was it 5 again? Oh wow! Can't believe she made the #1 spot on the hardcover non-fiction list.. I guess we really know where the 1% lives.
I bet you all meet for vodka and cranberries to discuss the evil conservatives.
I have trouble watching 2... Not sure how 1 can physically watch 14 without some type of device to contain the others.
Its a tough one to judge. I know if someone were to judge my parenting skills I would be all over them. We do our best.
Almost everyone is a liberal in college life. They think the can change the world. Then they get to the real world and see what kinda lies all the professors have been spewing and quickly change.
I find black women very attractive.
I have gay friends (not many).. but I will never run in their groups. I will associate with them but not their lifestyle. They know it and accept it.
I love women... all shapes and sizes... behind every great man in a greater women...
Looks like you failed again... Soon you be up with Obama's numbers of failures.
At the rate things are going, I fully expect to see in my lifetime that all newborns will belong to the State. And after a thorough investigation, a few birth parents will actually get to keep their babies. The rest will be shipped to State care where they will get the "proper upbringing" (at the birth parents' expense, probably)! :-p
>>>I'm glad that child abuse is getting more attention, if these parents are gonna have kids, they're gonna take care of their kids the right way or pay the consiquences.<<<
Define "the right way" of taking care of kids. Can parents be too strict? Are the ones who are a bit more lenient today raising criminals for tomorrow? Do some kids need "tough love"? Are other kids less independent and need to be more "clingy"?
That's my problem. I don't mind the increased focus on abuse problems, but I do mind the ever-widening circle as to what constitutes abuse.
It's rediculous to give anybody a chance because a line might be drawn on the subject. There are hundreds of right ways to raise kids, and there are hundreds of wrong ways.
At the current state, nobody is investigated unless reported. So not every neglected or abused child will be saved from having terrible parents. But some kids who have great parents will unfortunately (for one reason or another) get taken away from their parents.
It's not black and white. But you should stop comparing this story to a hundred hypothetical situations you've drawn up in your mind. A woman getting her hair done while seeming to ignore the health, hunger, and well-being of her children is ridiculous. And to consider giving that kind of neglectful parent a second chance is even more ridiculous.
It's not the hypothetical situations that bother me. It's the real-life horror stories. It's a friend's kids whose doctor is threatening to tell DCS because her twelve- and ten-year-old children are more than 15% overweight.
Children die at the hands of their parents. Children are scarred both mentally and physically at the hands of their parents. Children at times need to be removed from dangerous situations. But children die and are scarred both mentally and physically at state-funded homes also. And that's is in addition to the trauma of having been removed from their parents. While I hate to see abuse, I'm tired of my tax dollars going to support the abuse of the state stepping into a family's situation "for their own good".