Who possesses the right to make decisions concerning a child's education, growth, activities, and relationships? The child's parents do, so long as these decisions are not proven to be harmful to the child, right? That's what I thought too. However, there have been many instances in which the reasonable decisions of parents in Texas have been overrun by the law.
In a newsletter on the THSC website, "THSC Pac Announces Effort to Restore Parental Rights," Tim Lambert of the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) notes specific cases of such infringement. He reports cases in which grandparents have used the Grandparents Access Statute, an amendment to the Family code meant to give grandparent's access to their grandchildren, to challenge decisions made by parents concerning their children, specifically the decision to home school them. " Lambert states that the Grandparent Access Statute ,"... has had unintended consequences that are destroying Texas families and undermining the fundamental right of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children."
What can be done to help solve this problem? In his letter, Lambert encourages the readers on behalf of THSC to support the Texas Parent's Rights Restoration Act (TPRRA), which will amend the Grandparents Access Statute and restore it to its original purpose. Supporting this legislation is one small step in supporting parent's rights.
Texas needs to pass legislation that explicitly protects the rights of a parent in contrast to legislation that determines when their rights maybe taken away.
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This is a very interesting case. I've never heard of the Grandparents Access Statute, and it does seem a little ridiculous. I think if the parents are incompetent and unable to care for a child then I can see how this amendment would be viable, but in the case described it is definitely overstepping some boundaries. Doesn't the child have a say in any of this either? If parents are split up I thought that a child over the age of 12 could decide where they want to live, and in this case it seems they were forced because of all the hassell from the grandparents. Why do the grandparents think they have a right or know what's best for their children's children anyway? If they have done a good job as parents themselves it seems they would and should trust the decisions and judgement of their own children. Maybe they have insecurities in themselves with how they raised their children. Good informative editorial, I learned something new!
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