Confused 17 year old

[Analove8]

I am a 17 year old well behaved daughter. I have been brought up by good parents and am a very responsible person. My parents are very strict on me it gets to a point where I feel like I am in jail. I am in my room all day rarely allowed to go out. My parents are highly religious and this makes it an even harder lifestyle to live in. I am being forced to stop talking to a guy and also will soon be force to move with them and won't be allowed to finish my senior year in my high school. I am being forced to graduate in our new city. Can they force me to move with them and can they prohibit me from a friendship that brings me no harm?

 

[Proserpina]

I am a 17 year old well behaved daughter. I have been brought up by good parents and am a very responsible person. My parents are very strict on me it gets to a point where I feel like I am in jail. I am in my room all day rarely allowed to go out. My parents are highly religious and this makes it an even harder lifestyle to live in. I am being forced to stop talking to a guy and also will soon be force to move with them and won't be allowed to finish my senior year in my high school. I am being forced to graduate in our new city. Can they force me to move with them and can they prohibit me from a friendship that brings me no harm?

No matter which US state you're in, the answer is yes - they can absolutely force you to move with them.

And they can absolutely restrict your friendships.

 

[stealth2]

Absolutely. You are a minor, and they can pretty well tell you what you'll do, when and with whom. In a year, you can make your own decisions.

 

[mistoffolees]

Absolutely. You are a minor, and they can pretty well tell you what you'll do, when and with whom. In a year, you can make your own decisions.

Maybe, but it depends on where they move to. There are a few states where the age of majority is greater than 18.

To OP: Have you TALKED to your parents? I mean really talked, not head-banging teenage tantrums. If your parents trust you, they might consider allowing you to stay with family or friends for your senior year, although that doesn't seem likely from what you've said.

 

[cbg]

If you are looking for a law that will force your parents to let you stay where you are or communicate with your "friend", there isn't one. Until you are 18, and not one minute before, the law gives your parents the right to decide where you live and who you can see.

The law will not prohibit your parents from allowing you more freedoms if they choose to, but it will not force them to do so either. Their house - their rules.

 

[mistoffolees]

If you are looking for a law that will force your parents to let you stay where you are or communicate with your "friend", there isn't one. Until you are 18, and not one minute before, the law gives your parents the right to decide where you live and who you can see.

The law will not prohibit your parents from allowing you more freedoms if they choose to, but it will not force them to do so either. Their house - their rules.

Or later, in some states.

 

[BL]

What State ?

It may or may not make a difference at 17 .

Legally though you're a minor until 18.

 

[TheGeekess]

What State ?

It may or may not make a difference at 17 .

Legally though you're a minor until 18.

Actually, in Alabama and several other states, the age of majority is 19 or older.

 

[AlmostALawyer]

I am a 17 year old well behaved daughter. I have been brought up by good parents and am a very responsible person. My parents are very strict on me it gets to a point where I feel like I am in jail. I am in my room all day rarely allowed to go out. My parents are highly religious and this makes it an even harder lifestyle to live in. I am being forced to stop talking to a guy and also will soon be force to move with them and won't be allowed to finish my senior year in my high school. I am being forced to graduate in our new city. Can they force me to move with them and can they prohibit me from a friendship that brings me no harm?

Thank you OP. This made my night. I especially enjoyed the jail comment. You're 17, you have an entire life to live. It seems like the end of the world now, but 20 years from now you'll discover all the cool kids and your friends are working terrible jobs for low wages with 3 obese kids and two mortgages. Your parents are doing you a favor. When you move to a new environment you learn to meet new people, and leave your comfort zone. It will make you a stronger person. I moved 5 times as a kid. I thank god that I did. It afforded me many opportunities and relationships. Good luck!

 

[mistoffolees]

Actually, in Alabama and several other states, the age of majority is 19 or older.

I think I said that already (twice).

 

[TheGeekess]

I think I said that already (twice).

You did.

 

[antrc170]

IF the OP is residing in a state with 19 as the age of majority,what stops her from moving to a state where the age of majority is 18 and establishing residency as a legal adult?

 

[justalayman]

actually, there is one state (at least) where the OP could leave home and the parents could not really do anything about it. While still a minor technically, a 17 yo, as long as the child leaves of their own accord, can leave and the police have no authority to require the child submit to parental control.

 

[CdwJava]

actually, there is one state (at least) where the OP could leave home and the parents could not really do anything about it. While still a minor technically, a 17 yo, as long as the child leaves of their own accord, can leave and the police have no authority to require the child submit to parental control.

I believe there are two that have this loophole ... Texas was one, and I forget the other one ... Michigan, Virginia, somewhere ... maybe three?

It seems odd to me, but I have affirmed the loophole in Texas with a couple of friends that are cops there. The law allowing them to pick a minor up and forcibly return home was written in such a way as to exclude 17 year olds. I recall there was a legislative fix proposed for this some time back, but not sure if it ever came to pass.

In my state we go get them and bring them home all the time ... it can be annoying sometimes.

 

[cbg]

The other one is Missouri.

But I also seem to recall that in both states, while the cops may be handicapped the parents themselves are not.