Complicated child support case

  • Thread starter Thread starter Math Is Hard
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Support
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a complicated child support case involving a 19-year-old girl accused of molesting a 15-year-old boy, resulting in the boy being ordered to pay child support after the girl became pregnant. The conversation explores the implications of statutory rape laws, consent, and the responsibilities of both parents in this situation.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that the boy is unfairly burdened with child support despite being a victim of statutory rape.
  • Others contend that the legality of consent is clear, as the boy was underage and unable to legally consent to sexual activity.
  • There are claims that the circumstances of the relationship and the actions of adults involved should be scrutinized.
  • Some participants suggest that both parents should be held responsible for the child's upbringing, regardless of the circumstances of conception.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential psychological impact on the boy, who may feel victimized and face long-term consequences.
  • Discussion includes the notion that societal and legal frameworks may inadequately address the complexities of such cases, particularly regarding male reproductive rights.
  • Questions arise about how the law treats sexual relations between underage individuals and the perceived inconsistencies in legal outcomes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views on the fairness of the child support ruling, the nature of consent, and the responsibilities of the involved parties. The discussion remains unresolved, with no consensus reached on the implications of the case.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight various assumptions about consent, victimization, and the role of adults in the situation, indicating a lack of clarity on these issues. The legal definitions and societal perceptions of statutory rape and child support are also points of contention.

Math Is Hard
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
4,663
Reaction score
36
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_25898.aspx
It began when a 19-year-old girl from the town of Lancaster, Ohio was accused of molesting a 15-year-old boy. Jane Crane was allowed to stay at the child's Columbus-area home when allegations surfaced that her stepfather was being abusive.

But something apparently clicked between the girl and the underage son of those providing her temporary refuge. She's since been charged with unlawful sexual conduct, after allegedly having physical relations at least twice with the underage boy.

So far, the story is somewhat sad, but not that unusual.

But here's where it takes an odd turn. The teen became pregnant as a result of the encounter and paternity tests prove the boy is the father of the little girl, who was born in late April.

Now a court has ordered the youngster to pay $50 a month child support, despite the fact the act that resulted in the child's birth was apparently illegal.

Seems unfair to the boy since this was statuatory rape.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Math Is Hard said:
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_25898.aspx


Seems unfair to the boy since this was statuatory rape.

From what you posted, there's nothing to suggest that it wasn't consensual. Just because she did something illegal, doesn't relieve him of responsibility for his actions.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
If this did go down as reported, and she is convicted of the crimes she is accused of, then the boy was unable to legally consent to sexual activity due to being underage.

Can you imagine? First being victimized by someone he thought he could trust, and then being ordered to pay that person for the next 18 years. This kid is probably going to need a good therapist no matter how it pans out, which is really unfortunate.
 
Statutory rape is a load of crap. 15 year olds had kids all the time "back in the day" and 18 is a really arbitrary number.

The only question is did he consent or not? He might have been coerced or threatened. If he just decided to jump right in, well that's how it goes. Should have had a condom.
 
Mike H said:
First being victimized by someone he thought he could trust, ...

Every 15 year old's wet dream? The real issue is where were the adults.

As a minor, they are the ones on the hook for the child support anyway. I'd be surprised if he feels victimized yet.

Now maybe the parents might feel victimized, but then again there is a wide range of possibilities as to the circumstances here, so even that is hard to know.
 
Math Is Hard said:
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_25898.aspx


Seems unfair to the boy since this was statuatory rape.

Girls who get raped and pregnant, are stuck to care for the child (usually).

Guy gets raped and girl gets pregnant, so he also gets stuck to care for the child.

Kind of weird.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Math Is Hard said:
Seems unfair to the boy since this was statuatory rape.
Child support is not for the benefit of the caretaker it is for the benefit of the child, hence I am of the opinion that both parents should to be held responsible for the raising of the child.

Very sad story.
 
WarPhalange said:
The only question is did he consent or not?

Legally, no.
 
There are so many child support issues in this world and what ever surprises me is how anyone can possibly refuse to support their own biological child. The child has no fault in how it was conceived and is not accountable for the quality of the relationship between the biological parents .
 
  • #10
Math Is Hard said:
Legally, no.

Yeah, the law is messed up, I thought I had mentioned that in my post? Legally you get sent into a small cell for a number of years for holding some grass in your pocket.
 
  • #11
It might be the best possible outcome if the boy's parents are awarded custody of the baby. Poor kid. It sounds like mother and baby have gone back to the "abusive" home she was trying to escape. If the mother goes to jail, the baby could possibly be left in a bad or even dangerous situation for a while.
 
  • #12
Stories like this are bound to happen as long as the law forbids abortions for men.
 
  • #13
jimmysnyder said:
Stories like this are bound to happen as long as the law forbids abortions for men.

That's a bit like a law to un-ring a bell.

Or un-shoot a bullet.
 
  • #14
jimmysnyder said:
Stories like this are bound to happen as long as the law forbids abortions for men.
Very true, I think.

Both of the kids probably knew better. It's more likely than not that they intended on having sex but did not intend on having a baby.
 
  • #15
On a related note, how does the law deal with sex between two underaged participants?
 
  • #16
Gokul43201 said:
On a related note, how does the law deal with sex between two underaged participants?

I remember a case (in the US) where the male was charged. Nothing happened to the female.
 
  • #17
Ha ha...I got to say, there's a line where the government really shouldn't be allowed to cross, like what Gokul is mentioning...
 
  • #18
I wonder why she didn't do abortion.

I think all blame goes to her step father
 

Similar threads

News Bush Honest & Trustworthy Until How Many Lies?
  • · Replies 65 ·
3
Replies
65
Views
12K