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I don't think this is about when we "want" to parent. Famalies face very real crisies about safty to all especially with children with mental health issues. I lived with a violent child, she was placed in a private institution from time to time, but the state was no help at all...even when the police were called. Parenting classes (I wasn't her legal parent so I wasn't involved) for her legal parents did not change her mental health issues. No one parenting were drug users or criminals. She had to wait to be 18 to receive needed services. She is now on full disablity. It is an idiotic system.
I have a friend with a violent mentally disabled teenager, and there is no respite care available, none, in our state. She has to be in danger in order to parent. There is state money for a lot of odd things there isn't a priorty for the care of mentally ill children and famalies in crisis. I know how to physically restrain children becuase the system failed a vulerable family. Neither of these children are/were neglected or abused in both cases adults have been hurt.... and we chose to care for these children is that good enough for the Social workers? Help in the form of respite care, accesbile mental health services for children, training in special needs issues (not just restraint) would all have been useful.
Do I think the state has a responsablity to children and famalies..yes, if they take my tax money.
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