Nebraska's new "safe haven" law allows parents to abandon children up to age 19  

Hi there Dragon!

I think that if the country can afford to temporarily feed, and provide the needs of the children while no one's adopting them yet, then it is a good idea. I have heard of children being killed, getting into serious accidents because of the parents' irresponsibility and lack of care for their child/ren. I feel really sad whenever I do hear news about those kind of things happening since there are alot of people who are trying really hard to have a child, with a lot to share, and a lot of love to give but were not blessed with any. I think that way, with this "safe haven" program, the children will have a better chance to a good future. Of course, it will not be guaranteed 100% but it's better than staying with family who just don't care.

I wonder if they did this for the child's sake because a lot of parents just kick their kids out of the house to fend for themselves on the street. This might protect them from that. Of course, if a parent drops their teenager off at a hospital, who's to say that the kid won't just run off on their own. I hope that parents wouldn't give up so easily on their kids to do this.

I think that is rediculous. I mean, yah there are alot of drug addicted teenagers out there that parents cant handle, and those are the people who end up getting kicked out and what not anyways. But up to 19? I think that is a really bad law. I was recently watching a doctor phil episode where the parents were sick of being parents. What about people liek that? Its just giving them the green light to get rid of their kids. They can make up excuses and just drop them off there? Thats not right, if the place is willing to give help to turn the childs attitude around, then the parents come back, sure, thats a great idea. But just dropping them off and walking away? Thats just making it easier to abandon children.

Well... I think of the psychological effect it will have on the childrens minds. When they are better and cured, they would feel so devastated to know that their parents have given up on them and thrown them away...
Children are bound to be unruly and defiant and what not.. I Personally feel that as parents it is our duty to bring up our children well and we should never give up on the job.. It is only our patience and perseverance and love that makes our children grow up as good citizens.
Your discussions are very interesting and thought provoking...
Cheers and happy mylotting.

I think those laws are needed. I think it's a lot better than parents not taking care of the child at home and not being able to provide for the child. I like that it's no questions asked because I'd rather a child live instead of suffering or dying in a bad home environment.

Now I'm not sure about the whole unruly child thing. If my child was 19 and was going through a rough time, I'm sure I'd be able to call the cops or something and maybe get a court order to put the kid in rehab or something. I mean if you've kept the kid for that long, what is the point in handing them over to the state now?

Well if you think about it we've already had a program like that all along. It's called the Child protection services. There are many people with and without children who've turned over children to these people. So saying they can just drop their kid off at a hospital is just another way of them to do what they've been doing all along only without being put through all the paperwork.

Abandoning an older child that is well aware of what is going on can have serious long term psychological effects. While I am well aware that there are many children and adolescents who hve behavioral, substance abuse,or mental health issues, I think that the families would be better served by services that would help them deal with their children's problems.
But if you ae the type of person who would just kick your child out in a hospital parking lot maybe you are an unfit parent after all Just my opinion.

I don't think many people will take advantage of a law like that, but it's good that it is in place. Maybe there won't be any more Susan Smith's or Andrea Yates? While I don't have any sympathy for these women, I believe the common explanation for each of them (and the many other women who kill their children) is that they felt hopeless and trapped. Maybe just having the option to unload will calm them down to the point that they don't drown their kids?

Love transcends all boundaries. Parents should never forsake their children no matter what.

Just my 2 cents.

Well what a relief! I was worried we would have to take responsibility for our children. We might have to suck it up and pay attention to them. I am sure that you can attest to the fact that it isn't easy, but I want to commend you for managing and keeping your kids!