Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    4

    Default Fifteen-year-old's right to take an internship

    My 15 yo half-sister wants to take a 3-week summer internship she won with a famous photographer who is a senior critic at Yale. Her mother and stepfather don't want to let her, because, they say, she has to work and earn money baby-sitting all summer, not just 3/4 of it. Her room and board during the internship are provided for. My sister is desperate to participate in the internship and has been very organized about arranging it.

    Is there any way my sister can go to the internship, or does she have to do what her mom says, no matter what?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Fifteen-year-old's right to take an internship

    If her father will advocate for her, he may be able to either convince her mother to let her take the internship or may be willing to try to get a court order permitting the internship if they cannot agree. As an unemancipated minor, she can't force her parents to let her attend, nor can she make them pay for the internship, but I really have to scratch my head at parents who would deny their child what sounds like a wonderful opportunity.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Fifteen-year-old's right to take an internship

    Thanks for your reply. I have to scratch my head too. Her parents despise eachother, and her father likes the internship idea, so I have to suppose that's why her mom does not.

    I am not sure dad would be willing to try for a court order. He's fairly resigned.

    You mention emancipation. I frankly think that a parent's responsibility involves cooperation with the other parent. These people hated eachother on the day they were married, which they actually admit, and decided to start a family despite that. It is an insufferable situation for my sister; she is a victim of her parents' bizarre choices, but I wonder if she has legal recourse such as emancipation from both of them.

    The internship is free btw.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Fifteen-year-old's right to take an internship

    (I mention emancipation because this was originally posted in the emancipation forum.)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Fifteen-year-old's right to take an internship

    But do you think she has a case for emancipation. That is, does her parents' irresponsible behavior amount to neglect or abuse?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Fifteen-year-old's right to take an internship

    The availability of emancipation varies by state, so it depends on where she lives. Most states that permit emancipation would require her to be at least sixteen years old and capable of supporting herself.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Fifteen-year-old's right to take an internship

    She lives in New York state.

    Assuming she could get someone else to support her, does she have to prove that she's been mistreated in some way, or what is a judge's decision based on beside age?

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Sex Offenses: Fifteen Year Old Dating and Having Sex with a 23 Year Old
    By Etpeterson07 in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 01-07-2009, 05:26 PM
  2. Emancipation: Fifteen-Year-Old With Issues
    By tsflorida in forum Juvenile Law
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 08-13-2007, 03:06 PM
  3. Emancipation: Fifteen-Year-Old Wants To Move Out
    By Bunnicula in forum Juvenile Law
    Replies: 37
    Last Post: 05-14-2007, 10:35 AM
  4. Debt Collectors: Fifteen-Year-Old Debt
    By Elect in forum Debts and Collections
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 04-06-2007, 08:54 PM
  5. Emancipation: Fifteen-year-old considering emancipation
    By independent2 in forum Juvenile Law
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 01-17-2007, 04:56 PM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources