Scotland imposes prison penalties on parents who refuse to support their children’s gender transition
Is Parenting Becoming a Crime in Scotland?
Imagine this scenario: it’s the first day back from the Christmas holidays and your 12-year-old son comes downstairs, ready for school. But something seems off – he’s wearing a skirt, heels, and lipstick. Do you have the right to ask him to change?
Well, under new proposals in Scotland, repeatedly asking your child to change their appearance could land you in hot water. The draft “conversion therapy ban” could make it a criminal offense if you engage in a “coercive course of behavior” towards your child.
Imagine this: your son, feeling distressed by your concerns, reports you to the authorities, accusing you of being controlling and pressuring him to conform. And just like that, you’re facing up to seven years in prison or an unlimited fine.
But it doesn’t stop there. This proposed law would allow social workers and state authorities to interfere in the parent-child relationship like never before. It’s part of a pattern of Scotland’s “woke” government, which previously attempted to assign every child a “named person” – a government official with access to private information. Thankfully, that scheme was struck down in court, but it’s clear that parents are not trusted to know what’s best for their own children.
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 10: Emma Roddick, Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees, leads a debate in the Scottish Parliament on The Impact of UK Government Asylum Policy and Legislation in Scotland. (Photo by Ken Jack/Getty Images)
Sure, we need systems in place to protect children from abuse, but the ability of parents to guide, teach, and discipline their children is crucial. Instead, parents are living in fear of losing their children or ending up behind bars, all while navigating the complexities of a child who may be struggling with various issues.
And what about the kids themselves? As parents self-censor to avoid punishment, a generation is growing up without ever hearing the word “no.” How will they navigate a diverse and tolerant society if they’re shielded from differing opinions?
Children are not adults, and making life-changing decisions at a young age can have serious consequences. Are those who push kids towards significant transitions the ones truly guilty of ”conversion therapy”?
Confusion and fear are on the rise, and Scotland may soon become one of the most challenging places to raise a family in the Western world.
Parents are not children. The majority of them are dedicated to raising their children well, based on science-backed beliefs. They want to protect their children from potential harm and irreversible decisions.
Common sense should not be a crime. While parents may not be perfect, the state is certainly not a better parent.
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Lois McLatchie Miller is a Scottish commentator and spokesperson for Alliance Defending Freedom UK. Follow her: @LoisMcLatch
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
What are the concerns raised by the proposed conversion therapy ban in Edinburgh regarding the erosion of parental rights?
Ct of Conversion Therapy in Edinburgh, Scotland, on January 10, 2022. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Of course, the proposed law claims to be aimed at prohibiting harmful practices such as gay conversion therapy. And while it is crucial to protect vulnerable individuals, including the LGBTQ+ community, from harmful and abusive practices, this legislation seems to go way beyond that.
In fact, it raises serious concerns about the erosion of parental rights and the intrusion of the state into family life. Parents should have the right to raise their children according to their own values and beliefs, as long as they are not engaged in harmful or abusive behavior.
But where do we draw the line? Should parents be criminalized for simply expressing concern about their child’s choices? It is important to recognize that children go through phases and experimentation is a natural part of their development. However, parents also play a critical role in guiding and protecting their children from potential harm. Balancing these conflicting interests is no easy task.
Furthermore, this proposed law raises questions about the role of the state in parenting. Should the government have the authority to dictate how parents should interact with their children? Should they have the power to intervene in parental decisions deemed within the realm of ordinary parenting?
While it is important to support and protect the rights of children, it should not come at the expense of parental autonomy and the rights of parents to raise their children in accordance with their own values and beliefs, as long as the child’s wellbeing is not compromised.
The proposed conversion therapy ban in Scotland seems to be a step too far in encroaching upon the rights of parents. It risks criminalizing parenting practices that may be seen as simply expressing concern or trying to guide children in making what parents believe to be the right choices.
In conclusion, while it is important to protect individuals from harmful practices, including conversion therapy, it is equally vital to respect and preserve the rights of parents to raise their children as they see fit, within the bounds of reasonable and non-abusive behavior. The proposed conversion therapy ban in Scotland raises significant concerns about the erosion of parental rights and the role of the state in parenting. It is essential that any legislation strikes a balance between protecting vulnerable individuals and preserving parental autonomy and the rights of parents.
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