Setha-
Actually, I think we're both heading for the same town, on the same road, just from different directions.
Our original poster isn't even on the map.
Slowly but surely through this thread the circumstances given in the original post have blurred.
I would agree with you were the conditions as stated in your last post, however, they are not.
Minor child still lives with Mom.
I believe that we would agree that if a child decides to head out on their own, be responsible, get a job or further their education, whatever, that they should be allowed to do so. I would suppose that they could call themselves emancipated - being minor child or no. (Note - I think it should be done with the support and guidance of the parent(s)).
However, our original poster suggests that she wishes to rid herself of the burden of supporting her husband's child because poster feels that the child is old enough to work, yet will not because the child is lazy. Poster simply resents the child because poster and husband have to support the child, while child sits around watching Jerry Springer or whatever and Mom spends most of her day making trip after trip to the bank cashing checks from Pop.
I think that while child is still living with Mom, it's still Pop's job to buy some groceries and Pop's new wife will have to keep clipping coupons for two more years.
wtd
(was just going to put my 2 cents worth in but Tuesdays are 2 for 1 day so it wound up being 4 cents worth
)