=for timestamp
Di Mai  1 17:55:05 CEST 2007

=head2 32. Hausaufgabe

=head3 Composition: To what extent do parents have the right or the duty to
participate in the decisions of their children who have reached the age of
majority? (Abitur 2005/II/II/2)

An ever-recurring theme in the conflict between teenagers and their parents is
about the question, to what extent parents should participate in their
grownups' decisions.

Instead of simply affirming the view of the children, namely that their
decisions are none of their parents' business, a more detailled explication is
in order; the question cannot simply be answered by considering only the legal
aspect, that is that children who have reached the ago of majority
count as self-responsible persons with all the associated rights and duties, of
which the right to make own decisions, as guaranteed by the Constitution, is of
importance in this context.

People who have this strict opinion on the problem do not consider, that
parents participate in their childrens' decisions not to annoy or importune
their offsprings, but rather to attempt to help them by sharing their
experience; this help is not based on antipathy, but on parental love.

Thus I'm of the opinion, that the so-called teenagers should accept the support
they receive from their parents, remembering, that potential discussions
should be based on mutual respect.

Also, from a meta point of view, it's interesting that the question is raised
at all -- both respecting helpful support and knowing when to stop giving
unhelpful suggestions should be naturally understood.

(213 words)