16 year olds rights.

[lydia1993]

Hi im a 16 year old girl thats boyfriend has just moved back to scotland for college ive been with him for over a year, his mumhas invited me to go visit him during october half term, my parents dont want meto go, have i got rights to go without their permission?

[redcrx]

you could just go, run away for the week.

but think of the consequences

[andy-hughes]

No. If you leave hom without their permsiion before you are seventeen, they can report you to the police as a Missing Person, and they police have the power to return you home.

But that's not the ideal way to go anyway.

Talk to your parents. Convince them that you are mature and sensible enough to make this trip - and make sure you advise them that you know what contraception is, and you are using it (you are of course aren't you!)

For parents, you are at the difficult age - no longer a child, not yet an adult - so they are worried about you. if you can show your maturity by discussing it with them calmly and not storming off, you stand a much better chance of getting their OK.

It is hard for them to let gho - they just need a little coaxing - and with the right approach, you can get them on side.

I have three daughters - I know!

[ummmm]

How about getting your BF's Mum to have a word with your Mum?

Not sure I would let my 16 year old daughter go either :-(

[karenmac60]

Andy, would that apply if she is going to Scotland though? Here you are regarded as an adult at 16 so would the Scottish police even get involved?

[Buenchico]

Andy is usually a reliable contributor but, unless Scottish law is different, any 16-year-old is free to walk out of their parents' lives and to never have any contact with them again. If the young person was reported as missing the police are specifically barred from revealing that person's whereabouts to their parents (although they can tell them that their child is safe and well). The only thing that the young person can't do (without parental permission) until the age of 17 is to get married.

Chris

[karenmac60]

I think that would be the only difference with Scottish law then Chris, you can marry without parental permission at 16 (hence all those couples eloping to Gretna Green ;) )

[pilko]

fml