Comment by Mario Rodgers on March 8, 2010 at 8:26pm

I would find some authorities to report to. These "people" are spending money they could be using to support their kids on gambling. I find it ironic that they're calling him godless like it's a bad thing but they're the ones doing something wicked.

Comment by Velogiraptor on March 8, 2010 at 8:49pm

Agree with Mario here. If you have solid knowledge that they're spending that money on gambling, they're prime targets for a police visit or an audit. Your friend has already moved to another house, so that will help.

Comment by Samantha J. on March 8, 2010 at 10:01pm

No, sadly the relatives are the same. But I do have to report them...I'm just not sure how. His parents only speak Polish, so...

Comment by Jason Wagner on March 8, 2010 at 10:47pm

It sounds like he's being punished for not doing as he's told, not for being an Atheist. Granted, the verbal abuse that came afterwards was uncalled for, but at 17 if you're told by your parents to babysit... you damn well better do as you're told. That being said, they should still be reported for their abuse of the system and your friend needs to buckle down and make it through his last year as a minor so he can get out from underneath their wing and be the person he wants to be.

Comment by Galen on March 9, 2010 at 1:15am

you damn well better do as you're told.

That attitude right there is why people can't think for themselves. They're raised to "do what they're told" and NOT think! And then we wonder why they can't all-of-a-sudden think independently when they become adults. Hmph! Do what you're told IF IT MAKES SENSE. This young man refused to coddle their illegal and immoral habit. GOOD FOR HIM!

Samantha, what state is this in? I'll look up the necessary information on Emancipation proceedings if you'd like.

Comment by Jason Wagner on March 9, 2010 at 8:47am

Doing and thinking are two different things. Listen to the argument you're making, the kid shouldn't have to babysit because his parents aren't happy with his atheist beliefs? I didn't say he should change his beliefs because his parents want him to, I said he should follow the rules of the house he lives in.

People can't think for themselves because schools don't teach how to think, they just teach how to study for standardized tests. People don't think for themselves because it's easier not to and self introspection can be frightening. It most certainly isn't because teens do the chores assigned to them by their parents.

Comment by Samantha J. on March 10, 2010 at 5:57pm

The situation's cleared up, he's decided to "do what he's told" and live under their roof for the remaining months until he's 18, which is thankfully less than six. And they punished him not for refusing to babysit, but for refusing to "coddle" their habit, which they often use the food money for. I apologize if I was unclear in my post, but I was understandably upset and felt that I had to find help fast-- which, thankfully, we received. I have stocked him with a small supply of food (saving him from going hungry for their casino habit > saving up for an iPod) and he's continued to work towards his GED despite rough environment.

Thanks to all who helped, and once again, I apologize for freaking out and losing my head before thinking rationally.

Comment by Galen on March 14, 2010 at 7:37pm

Jason, when your parents tell you to do something that you know to be illegal and immoral, that is the time for some good old fashioned rebellion. If you raise kids who "do as they're told" in the face of authority regardless of the implications of such blind obedience, you get adults who blindly obey and believe authority.

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