Are parents allowed to break their children's property?

If you buy something then your parents break it because they're angry at you, is that allowed by the law?

If the kid was the one who bought it then that sure sounds illegal to me, but it would have to be something important like a car or a TV. You probably won't see a parent get charged for breaking their kid's plastic spoon.

If the parent paid for the item however, it is technically their property.

Americans typically live by the belief that so long as you are not of age and you live under the roof of your parents' house, you do not own property in any way, shape, or form. You are merely leasing. After all, unless you paid for it with your own money, it's theirs anyway.

Since the question you asked was, "If you bought something and they broke it..." technically vandalising or defacing property is not legal. However, they are your parents and, so long as they are not doing anything to put you in any sort of harm, are pretty much allowed to do whatever they want. That's one of the perks of being a parent. You get little slaves.

In order to enforce punishment you would need to sue your parents in order to have them forced into paying for a replacement. Since lawyers are much more expensive than anything you bought that they could break out of anger it's unlikely you're going to waste your time with that route. Also, if you do go there and you can find a lawyer willing to help you, you might as well emancipate yourself while you're at it because they're going to be shunning you until the sun burns out.

Edit: Also, as the first reply said, "If it's under their roof, it's their item." Possession is 9/10ths of the law. You must be able to prove that you bought it and that it is legally yours and not theirs. Most stores won't allow for kids under a certain age to buy items because they are not able to be held, legally, to a binding contract. So in a situation like this you're going to have to hope that ownership didn't default to your parents.

But why would parents destroy their kid's property? I can't get that.

But why would parents destroy their kid's property? I can't get that.

shinian

Today my dad ripped my monitor DVI cable out the back of the computer which messed up the video card I bought. Then he snapped in half my Logitech G11 keyboard which I also bought. It started as an argument then I said something I probably shouldn't have, he then got really angry and the broke the stuff. Then he said he can do that because I live under his house.

Today my dad ripped my monitor DVI cable out the back of the computer which messed up the video card I bought. Then he snapped in half my Logitech G11 keyboard which I also bought.

Ace_WondersX

Serves you right for buying a G11 instead of a G15. G15 breaks to no man!

Aw, you edited while I was replying. Anyway, yes, it is best in arguments not to say things you should not have said. It is also best to make sure things dear to you are not within "destructive" reach. As I pointed out; he's pretty much allowed to do what he did. You have no proof that he did it and it'd be near impossible to have any legal action taken here. Also, GS is not the best place for legal advice and your father kinda gets a say in who you do and don't talk to in that regard since you're a minor.

[QUOTE="shinian"]

But why would parents destroy their kid's property? I can't get that.

AustXilo

That's pretty low, dude. There's a big difference between destroying a kid's toy and leaving them to die.

Today my dad ripped my monitor DVI cable out the back of the computer which messed up the video card I bought. Then he snapped in half my Logitech G11 keyboard which I also bought. It started as an argument then I said something I probably shouldn't have, he then got really angry and the broke the stuff. Then he said he can do that because I live under his house.

Ace_WondersX

So he shows that the way to solve a problem is through violence and destruction instead of talk. What a great job he is doing.

[QUOTE="AustXilo"][QUOTE="shinian"]

But why would parents destroy their kid's property? I can't get that.

dracula_16

That's pretty low, dude. There's a big difference between destroying a kid's toy and leaving them to die.

Hm you said that you bought those things. So if you bought them with money you earned (an allowence is not earning) than it is illegal and you should go into your fathers room and explain to him that you have the legal basis to call the police or just smash his crap. Personally if someone came into my room be it friends or family and began to break things that I bought theyd end up hurt I dont like people disrespecting me in my home.

Today my dad ripped my monitor DVI cable out the back of the computer which messed up the video card I bought. Then he snapped in half my Logitech G11 keyboard which I also bought. It started as an argument then I said something I probably shouldn't have, he then got really angry and the broke the stuff. Then he said he can do that because I live under his house.

Ace_WondersX

Break all the windows in your Dad's car...that'll teach and I promise you won't get it any trouble.

Hm you said that you bought those things. So if you bought them with money you earned (an allowence is not earning) than it is illegal and you should go into your fathers room and explain to him that you have the legal basis to call the police or just smash his crap. Personally if someone came into my room be it friends or family and began to break things that I bought theyd end up hurt I dont like people disrespecting me in my home.

rzepak

Hm you said that you bought those things. So if you bought them with money you earned (an allowence is not earning) than it is illegal and you should go into your fathers room and explain to him that you have the legal basis to call the police or just smash his crap. Personally if someone came into my room be it friends or family and began to break things that I bought theyd end up hurt I dont like people disrespecting me in my home.

rzepak

If you were old enough and can afford it, that would be the point that I'd be looking for an apartment to rent.guynamedbilly

Even if you earned it yourself, there's no help for you until you're 18. Be careful what you say, for the good of your rig.

[QUOTE="rzepak"]

Hm you said that you bought those things. So if you bought them with money you earned (an allowence is not earning) than it is illegal and you should go into your fathers room and explain to him that you have the legal basis to call the police or just smash his crap. Personally if someone came into my room be it friends or family and began to break things that I bought theyd end up hurt I dont like people disrespecting me in my home.

Ace_WondersX

The reality is that in America (and the whole world really) a parent can do whatever they want to their child as long as it isn't sexual abuse and doesn't permanently maim or kill them.

The reality is also that in a few decades the roles are going to be reversed when your dad is old and feeble and dependent on you. You'll get your revenge.

If they bought those things with their own money earned from a job (not an allowance or something like that) then no, parents shouldn't be allowed to break it.

Just as your parents are legally responsible for you, they likewise hold legal control over everything you think you own.

You can't do anything legally about it but I'd wait till you're both calm and go and talk to him.artichoke

Your dad is one very dumb man. When thinkgs cool down I'd make him pay for the keyboard. You can also always use the other output on the back of your video card for your monitor.

Anger doesn't go into stupidity, I'm afraid, friend!

But people break things all the time by accident, monitors, keyboards, necks(back in 'nam). You just need to forgive and forget, although I'd suggest having him paying for the stuff he broke, unless you have a recent receipt. Wait for things to cool down first though, he'll hopefully come to his senses, and maybe some time in the future you two could meet up after you have had 8 kids with your wife, just leave the kids with your wife just like you always do, go see your father for a cup of tea, if that isn't your forte, you could bring fried chicken or pizza, just something like that. Bring this up like "HEY REMEMBER YEARS AGO WHEN YOU GOT ALL MAD AND SMASHED MY STUFF?!". Chances are he won't remember, but he'll laugh anyway. Then he'll call you by his co-worker's son's name by mistake, the age of your father has finally set in!

Then take him out behind the shed with a shotgun.

Without ammo.

I sincerely hope my advice will bring a solution to your problems.

Godspeed.

Your dad is one very dumb man. When thinkgs cool down I'd make him pay for the keyboard. You can also always use the other output on the back of your video card for your monitor.

BumFluff122

its their stuff because its in their house.BayAreaX

The reality is that in America (and the whole world really) a parent can do whatever they want to their child as long as it isn't sexual abuse and doesn't permanently maim or kill them.

gameguy6700

I disagree. I have seen many beaten up kids and teenagers in the ER. We often call social services in those kind of situation. The parent's excuse are always the same: I didn't want to hit him so hard, I didn't know that physical punishment is bad, I was drunk and I didn't know what I was doing. Kids heal from bruises quickly, but mentally they become unstable.

Any kind of domestic violence is the parent's failure.

If you buy something then your parents break it because they're angry at you, is that allowed by the law?

Ace_WondersX

[QUOTE="Ace_WondersX"]

Today my dad ripped my monitor DVI cable out the back of the computer which messed up the video card I bought. Then he snapped in half my Logitech G11 keyboard which I also bought. It started as an argument then I said something I probably shouldn't have, he then got really angry and the broke the stuff. Then he said he can do that because I live under his house.

jaredcsimpson

Break all the windows in your Dad's car...that'll teach and I promise you won't get it any trouble.

Steal money from his wallet and re-buy the stuff!

its their stuff because its in their house.BayAreaX

my mom broke me my ps3 controller ( which i pay with mah money ) and a gameboy advance my aunt gave me as a gift AGHHHHHHH she did it both times cus she was mad at meSolid_Tango

Break her favorite jar and burn the flowers!

I go by the. "If I bought it and you break it, I break something of yours".

Today my dad ripped my monitor DVI cable out the back of the computer which messed up the video card I bought. Then he snapped in half my Logitech G11 keyboard which I also bought. It started as an argument then I said something I probably shouldn't have, he then got really angry and the broke the stuff. Then he said he can do that because I live under his house.

Ace_WondersX

[QUOTE="Ace_WondersX"]

Today my dad ripped my monitor DVI cable out the back of the computer which messed up the video card I bought. Then he snapped in half my Logitech G11 keyboard which I also bought. It started as an argument then I said something I probably shouldn't have, he then got really angry and the broke the stuff. Then he said he can do that because I live under his house.

shinian

So he shows that the way to solve a problem is through violence and destruction instead of talk. What a great job he is doing.

I hate stupid parents.... sorry....

wow what a (jerk) good role model

[QUOTE="Ace_WondersX"]

Today my dad ripped my monitor DVI cable out the back of the computer which messed up the video card I bought. Then he snapped in half my Logitech G11 keyboard which I also bought. It started as an argument then I said something I probably shouldn't have, he then got really angry and the broke the stuff. Then he said he can do that because I live under his house.

RushMetallica

Okay telling a social worker that your parents molest you when they don't is just wrong!!!! Haven't you ever heard of crying wolf.

Don't buy any new stuff just keep your cash in a secret account and move out as soon as possible. Then when he's older put him in the worst care home you can find. Also fill the other PC with viruses :)markop2003

I like the way you think.

its their stuff because its in their house.BayAreaX

so.... if I left my ipod touch in ur car, its automatically urs? Or even if ur canadian, and u live in canada, are you now canada's property?

If you're a legal adult and can prove that you bought it, I'd get legal authorites involved. If not, then there's not much you can do.