These are interesting questions: What determines what is best for a child? I think that completely depends on what you want to get out of them, what do you want them to learn? Think of it like programming a computer. Abuse and neglect program into the child violent tendencies and low self esteem, which can lead to drug and other addictions and other problems which plague individuals and society. Love and positive discipline will lead to happy, well adjusted adults who can handle the awful things life throws at everyone. I've seen both sides of the spectrum as I've worked in youth drug treatment facilities and known a variety of people.
OK, you feed the child simple food (what do they feed folks in prison, anyway?)and you can't afford a bed. Maybe you intend to teach the child humility, gratitude for simple things in life. Maybe you can't afford more than basic necessities. But in the long run, those things don't matter as much as how much time you spend with your kids playing and laughing.
After all, if fancy beds, exotic food, and all the toys in the world created happy, well adjusted adults then wealthy people would never have problem teenagers or suicides.
I don't think children benefit from fancy food... they prefer mac and cheese any day.
Things don't matter, love does.
The purpose of child support laws are to make sure a child is taken care of. Believe me, it is difficult to raise a child on a single income. Difficult to pay rent, plus work, plus help with homework, plus buy food and clothing. Forget about ever doing anything fun or having a car with an air conditioner.
A parent accepts responsibility for care of the child when they bring a child into the world. If they cannot or choose not to take responsibility, then adoption would be an option. You are correct, children should be raised only by people who do so voluntarily.
And then, when the parents are too old to take care of themselves, it would then be the child's responsibility to take care of them. It balances out, it isn't slavery.
I think the point of the article is to say that parents should treat their children with love and respect, rather than as little people to be punching bags or objects of any kind.
For that matter, all people of any age or relationship should be treated with dignity and respect, but that would be the subject of another article!
@casandrarose speaks from a place of authenticity here.
She is not only a hard working single mom who found herself in really bad position when her husband suddenly lost his job to an H1B. She's also a trained child psychologist, who while working as a youth treatment counselor got to see every day what happens to children who's parents don't feel that they owe a significant duty of care to their progeny. She also works with the disabled & handicapped as well as finding time for insightful commentary like this.
@casandrarose Thanks for this, upvoted.
@sterlinluxan This was a well thought out and insightful commentary. Normally I try to pop in and offer constructive criticism or at least a counter point because many posts I choose to respond to are simply biased or unbalanced. Nothing to deconstruct here, nothing to criticize. I'd rate this as the absolute best post I've seen today. So don't take my lack of insightful commentary here as a negative. Wish I could upvote you more than once!