Teen Sues Parents for Cash, College Tuition. Does She Have a Case?

And just FYI, to prove she is scum and worthless...I guess she forgot they raised her from birth, fed her, clothed her, gave her medical care, dental care, got her her first car, insured her, made sure she had a roof, tv, internet, etc....


Yeah, F her and her crybaby crap...her parents owe her NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!

reply to post by boohoo


Okay, so really in essence what you are saying is that the wealthy who can afford the very best for their children and give them the things they want, will lend to the advancemen of society. I'll give you that, makes sense. However, what's to become of the children who weren't born so lucky? Are we just supposed to roll over and allow those boots to crush our throats? I think not.

Following your example here are several people who contributed in major ways, but had to make their own way.

Larry Ellison is the genius behind the success of Oracle Software Company and his wealth is close to $28 billion. His single teenage mother gave birth to Ellison in the Bronx. Later she sent him to live in Chicago with his aunt and uncle, who later adopted him. He dropped out of college then went on to found Oracle in 1977, now he owns one of the world’s biggest software companies. Ellison recieved a $130 million pay package in 2009, making him the second-highest-paid CEO in the U.S.

You can talk about Bill Gates, but what about Steve Jobs? He was one of the richest people with a net worth of about $5.5 billion because he was a co-founder of Apple. Jobs was a San Francisco native who was adopted by a working-class couple and grew up in nearby Santa Clara, Calif. He dropped out of Reed College when he could no longer afford tuition but he continued auditing classes. Jobs started an Apple computer outlet in his parent's garage in 1976. Fired after a power struggle in 1985, he started Pixar and then returned to Apple in 1996.

J.K. Rowling (my personal favorite "rags-to-riches story) is the author of the Harry Potter book series. She currently has amassed $1 billion+ in earnings, but will continue to grow her wealth with royalties. While writing Harry Potter she was a single mother who lived on welfare in Edinburgh, Scotland. She was broke and depressed and reportedly she had even contemplated suicide. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was published in 1997 and quickly became a bestseller and the first of a seven-book series that captivated children and adults worldwide. We all know what happened from there.

So to say it's rich parents giving to their children and NOT a "make lemonade" mentality is simply not the case. Having your parents support you through all of life's endeavors is nice work if you can get it, but it doesn't mean it's the only way.

The mistake these parents made was not having her arrested at 17 and confined to a place to keep her safe and sound. This is where another precedence will be set because if this kid can just go off and live with others and then sue the parents for living expenses I'm sure others will think of this when their own teen decides to take matters into their own hands (be nice and let it simmer or tow the hard line).

She had them investigated for abuse (verbal and emotional - mom called her chubby or something like that and dad threatened to hit her - allegedly). There are two other children in the home and no evidence of abuse or neglect was found.

She is saying

"I am a very good student. I have no drug problems. I am a good athlete. I work at a job outside of school," she wrote. "My parents simply will not help me any longer...(They) should be required to provide for my support and education until I can stand on my own two feet. In order to do this, I had to take legal action."

None of these qualities matter if you are not first a good person. Is she aware of conditions that millions of kids live under in the world around her? Is she aware of how blessed she is even without this money?

Also - what college will take someone who does this?

Text The teen wrote in her court certification that she aspires to be a biomedical engineer. Her first choice for college is the University of Delaware, from which she has yet to hear back from regarding her admission decision. She said taking legal action was necessary to ensure that she is able to accomplish her future goals.

www.cnn.com...

These things can kill parents through stress and grief. What does she win with this - some money. What does she lose - her family. Not a real smart cookie. And don't even get me started on the Catholic school and the people she is staying with. They are contributing to this.

reply to post by IroncladFT


For January 2014, the youth employment rate for ages 16-19 with no disability is 24.6%. The unemployment rate for that same group is 24.1%. That means nearly 1 in 4 kids between the ages of 16-19, who are looking for work, are unemployed. Canning has a job. However, it's likely, based on her age, lack of degrees, and work experience, it's only minimum wage. Minimum wage is not enough to subsist on. Do the math yourself.

Given that she is 18 years of age, although legally an adult, she will not get approved for financial aid to improve her plight. Financial aid assessments include parental income and assets, even in the case of emancipation, for all applying students. The only loophole against parental income inclusion is marriage, having a dependent child, or entrance into the military.

She's basically stuck.

Look at your own statements. You're operating under the presumption that those who are abused have nothing in common with this girl. If I could, I'd show you a picture of what I looked like at her age and I was most definitely and substantially physically, emotional and verbally abused. I didn't look that much different from her. I was a pretty, blonde well dressed girl that also happened to get throttled by my mother just about every night. I actually had bruises all over my face which prompted a call by my school to CPS. CPS did not take me out of the home. They came, talked to my parents and drove away. Child abuse isn't something that exists only in lower social strata. It exists in all levels of income.

This girl's own school's peer ministers are raising the funds to assure that she gets her high school diploma. I find that really interesting as it's not dissimilar to what I experienced after CPS dropped my case. Some of my teachers gave me their phone numbers to call in the event that things grew so bad that I couldn't take it anymore. School counselors put me into school run programs for children of abuse and children of alcoholics. AL-ANON was suggested though was impossible to attend without my mother's noting it. So, a portion of this girl's school is trying to help her. Not that different really.

Kids fall through the cracks all the time. Poor and wealthy kids alike. We fall. I fell. When I look at her, I see me and I remember what happened to me afterwards.

bigfatfurrytexan

WhiteAlice
reply to post by bigfatfurrytexan

 

I've been in her position and, at least for me, the extreme overbearing was just the proverbial tip of the iceberg. Affluent families can actually get away with far more abuse than an impoverished one. A lot of people that knew me as a teen thought for sure I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Most had no clue that CPS had actually been called to my home and had turned right around. When you're growing up in a family that is well off, in a nice house, wearing nice clothes and have a nice car, it's really quite amazing what can really go on behind those closed doors. In my case, by the time I was 16 years old, I was diagnosed with dissociative disorder with amnesia and childhood PTSD. To most, I wouldn't have looked any different from this young girl.

I know firsthand what damage can be done to a life because of actions like these and to this day, I know to never be vulnerable with my parents for that is a guarantee that abuse will follow. It's not to say that that is what her circumstances are like. She could very well be a spoiled brat. However, I personally would never withhold tuition for something as basic as high school and certainly wouldn't withhold college funds from either of my children just because I didn't like a boyfriend or girlfriend they had. Hell, if anything, that kind of thing is more likely to blow up in the parents' faces--Romeo and Juliet syndrome. Better to wait as it's likely to be a passing phase if they do happen to be right about the boy. Overall, it's not worth damaging the rest of her life over. Period.

I wouldn't, either.

But parents who do have the right to be bad parents.

If the parents participated in criminal acts, then this cannot be rightfully resolved in civil court until criminal proceedings are final. Seems like she is in the wrong court to attain redress if that is the problem.

But we don't know the facts or details. Other than we have a young lady who claims to be dependant on her parents for financing, but is not able to jump through the parental hoops to maintain that financing.

In any event...this still doesn't belong in court.

Parents have the right to be bad parents?

Good grief.

This is a big problem with people. They like to think of and treat their children as their property. They are incredulous when anyone else thinks they have the right to an opinion on their parenting. Well, unless you plan on keeping those children out of society their entire lives then yes I have an opinion! If you screw them up then turn them loose on society then that potentially impacts everyone else. Also, You decided to bring these beings into the world. They did not agree to your "rules" so why should they not have legal representation? No one else is protecting them. Parents can inflict any number of atrocities on children. Children who have no power or control over the situation.

Until people realize that children are not property and cannot be treated any which way that fancies the parent, the cycles of abuse will continue, and people will be more effed up than ever.

I know the court documents have likely already been posted but the parents explanations are more believable to me. These 93 pages seem to show a clearer picture IMO.

The sexual innuendo accusations have to be hurtful and will never dissipate from this family. He put his arm around her and kissed her on the cheek - saying your my date (#6 page 8). That's a doting dad IMO. Sounds like he was proud of her and I've said that to my son "do you want a date night" - this means all my attention on you and no work calls, etc. it doesn't mean date in a romantic way. It sounds like someone asked her this question and this is the best she could come up with - the influences around her are damaging IMO. It's just an extremely sad situation all the way around.

dig.abclocal.go.com...

reply to post by MrLimpet


Thank you for posting the results. I'M SO HAPPY SHE LOST!!

I've read most of the responses, and I see both sides of what is being posted. But, can you imagine what would have happened if this "piece of work" won her case? Teens all over the country would come out of the wood work suing their parents for money they don't deserve by making up lies on them and ruining families everywhere!

If this girl had an ounce of respect for her parents maybe she wouldn't have had to take the steps she has.

But she has no respect... NONE! So, she deserves NOTHING! NOT EVEN A BROWNIE! (That's what my grandmother called a penny.)

I hope she gets what she deserves now in "the real world". It won't kill her... she'll be okay. Bless her little heart.

Good for that judge!!

reply to post by Dianec


I also note that the school contacted DCP & P at least once in regards to concerns about the girl's home life. DCP&P is a reference to Department of Child Protection and Permanency in New Jersey. Her school also, according to her statement to the court, advised her to not return home.

It's also interesting that she suffered from bulimia. There has been much talk about eating disorders being linked with childhood abuse. Both my sister and I, who definitely came from an abusive home, suffered from eating disorders. My sister struggled with bulimia and I, anorexia. Victims of childhood abuse, according to NIH, are 2 times as likely to develop an eating disorder. Victims of childhood sexual abuse are three times as likely to develop an eating disorder--bulimia in particular.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Other red flags--The mother isn't talking. Her parents separated and, after they got back together, they decided to start penalizing her for her departure. Also notable is her father's position within the legal community, albeit former. That position actually accords him a lot of power and favor. She mentions several external parties who could verify her claims as well.

I agree with her school. If her statements given are true, she should not go home. Her father has won this portion of the court battle and has won the public opinion. It would be very bad for her to go home at this point.

reply to post by WhiteAlice


I worked with adolescents and there can be a great deal of manipulation by some - have to sort through it, and truly - only time can reveal the truth of allegations at this point. What bothers me is the counselor made a recommendation to not go home but never spoke with the parents. This is not how things are done when working with a troubled teen - you need to speak to those closest to them. You cannot figure out what the scope of their problems are without more input (the counselor is questionable).

She said that she sensed something sexual from her dad when he put his arm around her and kissed her on the cheek when drinking. It could very well be that she has been harmed along the way by someone but had it been her dad why isn't this being disclosed to the Judge with more than things that reveal fatherly affection? Certainly she would use this as evidence now.

She threatened to sue her school at one point.
It appears to me she was reported by the school because a teacher overheard her parents yelling at her on the phone. Then she asked to go home. Dad gave permission with conditions of following rules. She said never mind. Then she was sexually (covert), physically, and emotionally abused, while demanding they bend to her will. In that order it is concerning.

I'm not saying the parents are saints. There is no evidence of abuse however (as defined by child protective services). Parents may say mean things to their kids, fight in front of them, or even be too demanding but that does not constitute abuse. She is saying she is bulimic and anorexic due to her mom calling her fat. Yet mom and dad have had her receiving both counseling and medical treatment for this for a couple of years now. They kept up her medical insurance even after she moved out.

She is clearly a troubled young lady but this cannot be blamed on the parents immediately. There is no evidence of their wrongdoing and even she doesn't say anything that sounds out of the ordinary for a teen/parent relationship (not too far out of the norm anyway).

reply to post by Dianec


Likewise, I was a young teenaged girl who, after the school reported probable abuse to my local variant of CPS, CPS dropped the case. They only talked to my parents. They did not talk to me or my sister, who was away at college. My mother, as well, took me to a therapist to "find out why I was lying about being abused". It's all about appearances if you're dealing with a smart abuser. Verbal, emotional and mental abuse don't leave bruises. Bruising can be avoided even with physical abuse. Trust me, I know, and she also alleged that these things existed in her home. The concern of potential sex abuse was only one of those and honestly, I don't see an affectionate dad. Getting one's under aged child drunk isn't okay either.

She's a kid. Her most immediate association of her developing an eating disorder is going to most likely be her mom's commentary on her weight. I never thought to associate my or my sister's eating disorders with the abuse that we incurred at home. We were most definitely abused.

Every day, kids, regardless of socioeconomic status, fall through the cracks due to lack of evidence. That's a grim reality. That's how we end up with stories about parents having CPS entities called out to them, they find nothing, and bam, something awful happens. Of course, CPS gets blamed when they are underfunded, understaffed and have to rely on more than hearsay. It happens over and over again:

www.buffalonews.com...
azstarnet.com...
www.komonews.com...
www.dallasnews.com...

These are all recent cases where local CPS either failed to investigate or failed in a determination in regards to allegations of children being abused where children ended up dying. This does not include the number of children that CPS failed that remained in the abusive environments and survived. Even if a kid survives, they are forever impacted.

Here we have a girl, however, that most people are condemning as being a spoiled brat making false claims. What if you're wrong? Did you ever think of that?

reply to post by WhiteAlice


No offense, CPS is not underfunded or understaffed, they are an industry, and not unlike other industries, they are in it for a profit. They do not help children who are a financial liability to them. They only "help" children that are going to bring in more funding. Sure they will help some children so they don't get negative P.R. but I know for a fact as I witnessed it first hand as I was the one to call, they refused to help a child because he was too emotionally disturbed and the cost to help him would be more than they would receive in funding for him.

The words I heard from the social workers were along the line of "He is beyond our help, he isn't adoptable, imagine what therapy would cost, no bonuses for adopting him out for me."

reply to post by WhiteAlice


I agree with the issues around child protective services but a need to be perfect, as one example, can lead to anorexia and bulimia. It sure sounds like she is high achieving. There are also genetic links to these disorders.

I have had to call Child protective services only to see nothing done (and I witnessed the abuse so know the child was being overtly sexually abused). I saw that woman years later (all grown up). She had a daughter and the same man was in her life (her father/child's grandfather). That was a long time ago, and now they have to test for it but I'm sure manipulation still happens by the perps.

When I was working with youth I always believed them - always. That's where you start. What you don't do is give them any additional attention at this age - for fear of replacing a missing piece (say attention). If they are being manipulative it can sustain the manipulation and therefore not allow you to sift through things (causing false memories even). You can show compassion without enabling. You can also help get them into a safe place while you work with them. You build rapport and have specific questions you ask over time to figure out what the truth is vs what might be something else. I've had kids say this only to later admit to just being so PO'ed - that they wanted to ruin the person due to hate. I've had adolescents say this to later find out about a foggy memory of some estranged friend of the families who made them feel uncomfortable but it had been generalized to dad. I've also known kids where it was a very real thing. It's a matter of taking time and getting to the root. This isn't going to happen in 1 month with this adolescent (about the amount of time she spent with this new counselor). She didn't say why the counselor told her to not go home in the court doc so it could be a case of just letting things cool down or keeping her safe until the counselor sorts through it all.

I looked at her Facebook page. Her dad made comments about her games and driving without a seatbelt - seeming interested in his daughters life. I truly think she is disturbed (the close call with the divorce maybe - which I'm sure started well before they split). I still don't get the sense she was abused. Perhaps pressure to perform and some inappropriate remarks coupled with an angry adolescent. It really can be that benign. Of course - this is based on Internet info so you never know.

reply to post by Dianec


Both of my parents actually tried to get on my facebook as an adult, despite my having a very arms length relationship with them. The very few times a year that I am actually around my mother, she snaps a picture to upload up to facebook every time. Even if it's of me eating a burger. Appearances are everything.

Speaking from experience, it's very hard to extricate oneself from an abusive family. They can be intensely manipulative and know how to push all the right buttons. It's sad but even in my 40's, it's a real fight to keep them out after all that they have done. The woman still around the perp doesn't surprise me. I always was told that I wouldn't want to be motherless or an orphan. Blood is thicker than water type of thing.

Kids can lie and be manipulative. Absolutely. I'm a parent and I can't even count the number of times my children have said manipulative things. However, when I look at Rachel, I see myself. I see my sister. The perfectionism that you mention is another commonality we share. My sister's entire world has to be perfect at all times. It's the way that she distances herself from the chaos of our childhood. One of my longtime friends told me not too long ago about how she first met me in the third grade. She said that I looked very stressed and on the verge of tears. When she asked me why, I told her that I was trying really hard to figure out how to be more perfect for my mother. My sister was on the honor roll. I never got below a B on a report card. My sister was Valedictorian magna cum laude at her university. I was on the president's list in mine. How are we any different from Rachel? We tried so hard to make our parents happy by being as perfect as we could until we both said screw it. I bet if we look, the drive towards perfectionism is yet another symptom of abuse. It's logical. If you get abused for doing wrong, then is it so unlikely that a child may try to improve themselves in the hopes of escaping the abuse? Not really.

I don't disagree that she doesn't need time to sort through it all. She absolutely does. Heck, I'm in my 40's and I still struggle. However, considering her age and the uncertainty she's facing in terms of her near future, I can't blame her for taking them to court. If this girl is telling the truth, I'd like to see her land on her feet. Otherwise, she's going to end up just like me--a wasted brain.

WhiteAlice
reply to post by Dianec

 

Even if it's of me eating a burger. Appearances are everything.

Enough said, as to why your taking this idiots side. Appearance is everything to someone who values FAKE friends, FAKE societal status, and is trying to present themselves as someone they are not, JUST LIKE THIS GIRL. People with that outlook will do ANYTHING to fit in, be accepted, etc...and it leads to mental issues and issues in general. Case in point!!!

IroncladFT

WhiteAlice
reply to post by Dianec

 

Even if it's of me eating a burger. Appearances are everything.

Enough said, as to why your taking this idiots side. Appearance is everything to someone who values FAKE friends, FAKE societal status, and is trying to present themselves as someone they are not, JUST LIKE THIS GIRL. People with that outlook will do ANYTHING to fit in, be accepted, etc...and it leads to mental issues and issues in general. Case in point!!!

Your dislike for this particular girl is really something else to behold. How can you be so certain of someone that you don't know? And just so you know, when I say "appearances are everything" I'm referring to how an abuser thinks. As for me, I'll go to the grocery store without a stitch of make up because what matters in my book is what's inside, not out.

WhiteAlice

IroncladFT

WhiteAlice
reply to post by Dianec

 

Even if it's of me eating a burger. Appearances are everything.

Enough said, as to why your taking this idiots side. Appearance is everything to someone who values FAKE friends, FAKE societal status, and is trying to present themselves as someone they are not, JUST LIKE THIS GIRL. People with that outlook will do ANYTHING to fit in, be accepted, etc...and it leads to mental issues and issues in general. Case in point!!!

Your dislike for this particular girl is really something else to behold. How can you be so certain of someone that you don't know? And just so you know, when I say "appearances are everything" I'm referring to how an abuser thinks. As for me, I'll go to the grocery store without a stitch of make up because what matters in my book is what's inside, not out.

edit on 6/3/14 by WhiteAlice because: (no reason given)

OK, well I apologize for that, but honestly, the way you used that phrase in your comment suggests you meant it the way I took it. So I do not apologize for my feelings towards people like that, but if I was wrong in your meaning then sorry.

As for my dislike for this girl, you're damn right I can't stand people like her. MILLIONS of people sacrifice all sorts of things to earn their education. They didn't hold their own family hostage with a lawsuit or air their dirty laundry to the extent it made the national news. She feels like she should not have to give up the life given to her by her parents (i.e. a roof, food, internet, phone, insurance, etc...) she instead wants to retain all of that and then wants a free education to boot. All while disregarding her parents rules and then using poor excuses as to why she feels the way she does. Did you even read the case documents made available to the public? My GOD, the proof is in the pudding.

She has either taught herself or been influenced boy other pieces of sht to do anything she has to to get what she wants. So not she outright lies or embellishes to gain support for HER wants and has NO regard for what it is doing to the only people that care for her and love her. I go back to my original argument. They raised her, gave her everything she needed, and much of what she wanted, and SHE CHOSE to then disregard rules that were set by her parents. So she wants her cake and to eat it too, no I don't think so, people like that need a reality check at some point. I don't care how book smart she is and what she COULD become, when her actions make it clear she won't make it very far at all without being dependent on others or using lawsuits to get her way and satisfy her childish tantrums.

WhiteAlice
reply to post by Dianec

 

She's a kid.

So you think being 18 is a kid? That is sad. Again solidifying why you take her side in this circus. Should we raise the age of adulthood to 21? The excuses your making for her actions and the way you talk, tells me we have some SERIOUS social/maturity issues that need immediate attention. She is a young adult, she needs to act like it, and not like a "kid" as you say. To think, this idiot can legally vote or serve our country in the military...scary thought.

reply to post by IroncladFT


Very interesting comments. Some of the choices of your wording are really rather interesting. As far as your determination of what I meant by my repeated uses of "appearances mean everything", I guess you never spotted that I was referencing the habits of abusers. You see, abusers do some really interesting things when they feel at risk of being outed for who they really are. It's a behavior pattern that I've been watching all my life. Start removing the mask and they get really agitated, panic and maybe make mistakes.

For someone who dislikes the girl, it's really interesting that, at the same time as basically calling her manipulative, stated the possibility that she was being influenced by other pieces of *insert colorful expletive*. Doesn't seem like you're so certain that she is the one behind all of this. If she was, in fact, being manipulated by others, does that mean that she can earn forgiveness?

The "airing dirty laundry" language is really fascinating, too. I've heard that phrase from my own parents when I took them on. The problem with the logic that children shouldn't "air dirty laundry" is that it basically means that they cannot speak at all even when confronted with what would be construed as criminal activity by the letter of the law. There are laws within this country in regards to how a child should be treated. If children couldn't air their parents' dirty laundry, then what would be the point of those laws?

Also the remark about "hurting the only people who love and care for her". Interesting as well because that is language that abusive parents will use to basically lock in a child to them. I'm your only mother, father, I'm the only one that loves you and family is all you have. That kind of thing is really incredibly isolating and, based on my own experience, doesn't pan out to be quite true. I have many people in my life that have loved me far better than my own parents did in a lifetime. The capacity of the human heart to love another being is without limit. Another family can be built, even if it isn't a family entirely linked by blood.

"Have your cake and eat it too". Heard that one a lot. Crime and punishment, right? Break the rules, live with the penalty. The thing is this though--did the punishment fit the crime? Seems like their response was on the heavy handed side. I have a teenaged son and when he started dating a person that was really manipulative and demanding, I talked to him about it one time and I made that one time count. I stated my concerns and then, based on assumptions about her behavior, described her probable home life and he confirmed that I was correct about her home life. He, however, disagreed and saw her behavior as being more along the lines of doting and love. You know what happened? It got old for him and they broke up. Didn't take ultimatums, tears, door slamming, or putting him on lock down. It just took sharing the experience that I had learned as my son's adult parent and letting him figure out that I was right.

While I do worry that she's going to face some difficulty getting that college education, I think, if she pulls through this, she'll be fine. She seems to be a smart kid. If she was going through hell at home, then her grades are a pretty good indicator of a strong sense of perseverance. Likewise, I respect her for getting up the gumption to take on her parents if they were actually abusive. It took me a lot longer to confront mine.

I'm in my 40's with an almost 18 year old child myself. If I'm over twice the age of someone then, yeah, they are a kid to me. However, good point about 18 being the age to vote or enlist in the military. If she's old enough to chose who to vote for president or whether or not she wants to fight for her country, then shouldn't she be old enough to chose who she wants to go on a date with? That's what started all of this, isn't it? A boy her parents didn't like? It'd be kind of weird to be able to vote for who you wanted as a president but not who you were going to go out with on Friday night.

reply to post by sled735


The details on this are a little unclear. But it seems from what is known that this family is fairly affluent, lots of cash. As to there being an established fund for college, I'm not sure. The one thing that is not being given much play is the relationship between parent and child. Does an unwritten or an implied contract exist between these parties. In a marriage two parties agree to a relationship and a sharing of and claim on assets is considered a norm. In the case of parent and child, the only party to agree to the relationship is the parent. The child has no say.

Now here's the question. Does the child have any claim on the assets that exist in this relationship?

The child has been raised with expectations of a certain level of commitment from it's parents. If indeed a fund were in place for the education of the child, doesn't the child have some reasonable expectation that this fund will be used for that purpose? Imagine yourself that all your life you have been assured you are part of this family and have been confident of what to expect as to agreed commitments. And on a whim brought about by displeasure, these commitments are to be no longer honored. Not due to changes in the financial situation of any of the parties, but just a unilateral decision by the parents. I for one would feel that I have a grievance.

reply to post by okyouwin

The child has been raised with expectations of a certain level of commitment from it's parents. If indeed a fund were in place for the education of the child, doesn't the child have some reasonable expectation that this fund will be used for that purpose? Imagine yourself that all your life you have been assured you are part of this family and have been confident of what to expect as to agreed commitments. And on a whim brought about by displeasure, these commitments are to be no longer honored. Not due to changes in the financial situation of any of the parties, but just a unilateral decision by the parents. I for one would feel that I have a grievance.

I agree. I really feel for this young woman. In my opinion, this is all about a boy and a man who can't let his little girl grow up. I don't believe for a minute that it's about chores. Given that this man is retired from the New Jersey Police force, I"m guessing that he wields a lot of power of intimidation, and I think the psychological abuse facet of this case is being underestimated and under discussed.

If I were these parents, I would be mortified and ashamed that the school, students and their parents have taken it upon themselves to raise the funds to pay for this girls high school tuition! Shame on them!