It is different in each state. I know when I was living at home and going to high school, Michigan law dictated that a parent could legally kick their 16 year old child out of the house for any reason whatsoever, and the parent is n longer responsible for that child. They (the parent) could not be held liable for neglect, and could not be held liable for their 16 and 17 year old children's actions once they kicked them out of the house.

Now, if the parents were married, then one parent alone could not do this, as the other parent had the right to NOT kick them out; but if they were divorced or seperated, then the parent with custodial guardianship could legally kick the 16 year old out for any reason and the non-custodial could only offer their house for the child. The child was not obligated to accept housing from the non-custodial either.

I do not know if it is still this way or not in Michigan, I know when last I lived there, parents could still kick troublesome teens (16 and 17) to the curb, on the basis that they could not handle them anymore.

My great Uncle did this with every single one of his sons. They hit 16, they had 24 hours to have all their possessions packed up and removed from the house along with themselves. He allowed his daughter, my cousin Kimmie, to stsy as long as she wanted to, but the boys were warned ahead of time that once they hit 16, they were no longer allowed to live at the family house.

Yes, Michigan is severely screwed up!

I was kicked to the curb at 15...in 1975 I signed a lease and went to work...
had I gotten in any trouble, my mother would have had to take responsibility, I just never got caught, good for her, not so good for me. Get that boy off the streets dad!!!

..let me see if i got this right: you are worried,but he has your number and knows where you live...all i know is if it happened to my son i would go and get him and help him any way i could,while trying

not to be too judgemental,sounds to me if he's doing all these drugs it might be that he is possibly self medicating to help cope,teen suicides are always a concern...so go get that boy of yours rather than waiting for him to come to you ..that might be just what he needs ..someone to show they really care about his well being....jmo

Easier said than done!!

If he's legaly allowed to be out the door ya can bring him back but he will run again!

This age is rough!!! Drugs and booze only add to it

Been there. Done that!!

Sometimes you have to watch them hit bottom and it's not pretty to watch

Just be there when they fall!!

military school then.

if he gets into trouble with the law, they won't give him the option. from what i hear, they aren't doing the whole "military or jail" thing very much anymore.


. . .

Not sure what the laws are where you are. Your in Canada if I understand things right the medical there is up for all to have all the access that is needed. Check with your local drug rehab and see what the law is and how you can admit your son and if you can sign all the paper work to make him stay. Go get your son no matter what you have to do even if it means you have to tie his arse up and take him to rehab. If you don't which is harder have him hate you for a while till he gets clean or the call that he is dead from a drug over dose.

Sorry at 16 they don't know what they want. I went through the drug years with mine but at least he lived with me. I was always there for him and finally it paid off. He is clean now sure he has made mistakes in his life but he has no doubts that I was always there for him.

If you don't do that then at least go talk to him and beg do what ever you have to do and get him to move in with you. All I can say evidently
his mom could not handle him any more. I'm not going to say it is all her fault for it makes me wonder where you were doing all the struggles she was having with him. I know my ex never helped me but wanted to be the first to put the blame all off on me to deal with.

Now it is your turn to step up to the plate..............don't let him down, step up and be the man and do what you have to.....

no it is now illegal for a judge to give a defendent the option of going into servcice, which is a shame (though some judges still do do this, unnoficcially).

In regards to this case t hough, if the mother was able to legally kick him out, and has doen so, then the 16 y/o probably can not be enrolled in military school, or teen boot camp or any of those good programs against his will.

Well first of all he is in Canada their military requirements may not be the same as the states. Second of all he needs to deal with his drug addiction first why in the heck would you want to throw a young man in the Military that has no idea what he wants and is on a destructive path? ...........

Here in the great state of Kansas, 16 is the legal age of consent. Yep. Hence me and my daughter will be moving back to California when she turns 14.

Like it or not you are this kid's parent. Just because Mom lets him skate doesn't make it right for you to do the same. Until this kid is 18 I would bet you are responsible for him and anything he does so you have a vested interest in controlling his behavior even if you don't care. I know some kids can be hell on wheels but you can take charge of him and put him into a treatment program while he is still a minor. Being and emancipated minor requires a judges permission I do believe so he is a runaway so you can have him picked up. Treatment can be court ordered but either way it is expensive. I would have him picked up as a runaway and try talking to him once you know what your options are. Telling him what you are going to do and what you expect him to do. Hopefully it will include counseling for the entire family.

It has been proven time and time again that the military life can and normally is, an extrememly beneficial thing for a teenager who has authority and trouble issues. First they break down the mindset of fighting authority and teach the young adult how to listen and take orders, and then slowly as they go through the ranks, they teach them how to give responsible and well-reasoned orders, thus being fully balanced out. Also the physical training can be a good avenue to help him kick the drug habit as it gives hims oemthing to do, and strengthens his body.