The loss of video games...(OR: Why I hate my stepfather)

[Ken Rauhl]

Originally posted by Cerek the Barbaric: Just a reminder...your language here is a violation of the Terms of Service. Remember to keep things PG.

yeah yeah, been there done that, seen it all. Ziroc is lucky

Cloudbringer, sound advice. btw, I know what a bad temper is like.

Originally posted by Night Stalker: Won't disagree with you MagiK .... except that the SF was still wrong in destroying (if such is the case) the items. I am not saying that sauceman should not have been discipined. I am saying that the SF was wrong in the chosen action. Yes, since sauceman is 18, his 'rents could toss him out, but that does not give them the right to destroy his property, nor does it give him the right to destroy theirs. Like I said, use the car comparison, since he IS old enough to buy one. Substitute car for games, and the SF is clearly wrong for the destruction. Now, his 'rents were perfectly justified for disciplining him for bad grades. Especially on their dime. Sauceman! Study harder! If you didn't like the course, you should have dropped it if it wasn't required!

I actually agree with you NS, I wouldn't have destroyed them (My dad burned a ton of my 1970's era comics because he thought they were a waste...now we both realize how much they would be worth today [img]smile.gif[/img] )

Mostly Im playing devils advocate here [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Night Stalker]

That's OK MagiK, I'm just arguing both ends against the middle!

As I said to Night Stalker, I am in part playing devils advocate and trying to make sure people are looking at both sides of the issue...Im not trying to negate what you said Sauceman, but I am also trying to point out the realities of being a parent and the level of responsibility that entails..it can put quite a LOT of pressure on a person and they may vent that pressure on their children some times.

I had a lot of that growing up...but in my case my father and I made our peace after I moved out and earned my own way in the world....now I look back and see yeah he was pretty harsh (far harsher than what you said about your step dad) and a lot of the violence I suffered was needless or over reaction...but..I can see the pressure he was under at the time and all in all I think the hard environment made me a stronger person and it didn't do any long term damage to me. If you are 18 then all I can say is grin and bear it...don't harbor grudges and reassess the situation as it is now a few years down the line and look at it from his side of the fence.

At 18 you will probably amass many times the number of games you may have lost
and maybe less tme gaming as a kid will let you broaden your horizons a bit?

[Ken Rauhl]

Majik

making the rules and respecting the rules is different from bending the rules and ignoring the rules to fit one's need or making some f-worded mess up rules.

you see, you are a good dad (and I tip my hat to you), but dont you have ANY illusion that just because YOU are a good parent that all other fathers out there ARE good parents. I have the feeling that you wont have any peace if you ever work for me, but then again, I shall promot you for being firm.

but, I am saying this with the doubt that I maybe wrong, what if Steven's mother fears/resents his stepdad as much as he does? a "bad" temper can mean a lot of things. all in all, we shouldnt continue this discussion here.

[ 05-28-2003, 02:42 PM: Message edited by: Ken Rauhl ]

I can agree with what you posted there Ken. And I do know there are some miserable pieces o shite out there posing as parents too....I wish, it were possible to keep unfit people from reproducing...but it ain't possible

[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by Ken Rauhl: quote: Originally posted by Cerek the Barbaric: Just a reminder...your language here is a violation of the Terms of Service. Remember to keep things PG.

yeah yeah, been there done that, seen it all. Ziroc is lucky

[/QUOTE]How so? [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img]

[Luvian]

Originally posted by Cerek the Barbaric: Ken - as long as a teenager is living in his/her parents (or stepparents) house, there is NO "Right to Privacy". Parent that didn't want to violate their teenagers "right to privacy" is what allowed two middle-upscale kids to collect guns, saw off their barrels, and plan a massacre for over a year before carrying out their plans (Columbine High). If the teenager is paying rent and helping with the groceries, utilities and other bills - THEN he/she might have more of a voice in the decisions made...but as long as the parents pay the bills, THEY dictate the policy of the house. Luvian - This same logic applies to charge of "theft" towards the step-dad. Would it be theft if he threw out the drugs his daughter bought with her own money? Would it be theft if he threw away any porn magazines sauceman might have hidden in his closet? {hypothetically speaking, of course. Not implying that sauceman actually has any magazines hidden in his room. ). The answer is no. As long as the parent is providing clothing, food, and shelter - they get to make the rules. Plain and simple.

There is a difference between an adult discarding a kid's stuff, and an adult discarding another adult's stuff. Just because he is possibly not paying a part of the rent does not mean he does not have the right to own his own things.

[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by Luvian: There is a difference between an adult discarding a kid's stuff, and an adult discarding another adult's stuff. Just because he is possibly not paying a part of the rent does not mean he does not have the right to own his own things.

I agree that he should not have thrown the CD's away (and I still hold out hope that the mother intervened to prevent that). However, I also agree that the stepdad had a right to confiscate the games if he felt they were interfering with sauceman's school grades.

[Luvian]

Originally posted by Cerek the Barbaric: quote: Originally posted by Luvian: There is a difference between an adult discarding a kid's stuff, and an adult discarding another adult's stuff. Just because he is possibly not paying a part of the rent does not mean he does not have the right to own his own things.

I agree that he should not have thrown the CD's away (and I still hold out hope that the mother intervened to prevent that). However, I also agree that the stepdad had a right to confiscate the games if he felt they were interfering with sauceman's school grades. [/QUOTE]That's where I disagree with you. He is an adult, his stepfather, or even his mother, have no more legal right over him. He is as much an adult as you. Are you saying your father would have the right to burn your house down if he felt you were not working hard enough at your job?