Responsibility vs Independence

[FishFishRevolution]

I was thinking about this the other day, when does a person have the right to choose for him/herself?
People should idealy make decisions bearing consequences that affect themselves. They should be able to make those decisions if they can accept the consequences, right? But what if the person is not old enough or mature enough to understand the effects of their decisions? Someone should guide them, right? Or limit their decision making powers...?
What if, they understand the consequences to themselves, but they don't factor in the consequences to other people, or the environment, or anything else? Should that power be once again limited? And by whom? Who has the unclouded clear judgement to make that call?
One last thing, what about decisions made by people, who's consequences harm themselves? This then affects people who love them, so is that not a consequence for others as well?

WHERE DO WE DRAW THE LINE?!

[GuidoHunter]

People are allowed responsibilities on a graduated basis; they earn them. When they show that they can handle responsibility without much problem, more is allotted to them. This happens with children or the immature. If they get out of line, entities like parents or the law intervene and take away responsibilities until the immature can prove that they are again worthy.

For people in many positions, decisions have to be made that affect lots of others, the environment, etc. Sometimes those decisions have to be made in such a way that the fewest people are harmed or the most are helped; it can't be avoided many times. If a "wrong" decision is made, people (or some of the aforementioned entities) will question motives and alternatives and try to figure out if that bad decision merits a loss of responsibility for the decision maker.

Often, there can be no clear line drawn, as it would be as gray as the hazy decision that has to be made. Trust is a reward; Distrust and loss of responsibility are punishments.

--Guido

http://andy.mikee385.com

[Nonexistent_One]

I agree with Guido. The immature are granted responsibilities to prove themselves, and when proven, are given more. I disagree with the notion that age affects the ability to judge consequences. Age limits are one steriotype, among many others, that really bother me. Age is nothing but a number--maturity of the mind is what truely counts. How can one measure maturity? Who knows, but the afformentioned strategy seems to be the best approach.

I am 16, but that does not affect my judgment pertaining to whether I should do drugs or not. It is the personal maturity of my mind that allows me to weigh the consequeces that affect myself and others. I choose not to because I have too much at stake--mostly my friends, family, and reputation. Some 'adults' have not reached maturity of mind yet, but because of their 'age,' they have responsibility.

~NEO