Red-hot family bonding time

[alula_auburn]

So, we've recently done circ'ing, piercing and tattoos--what about branding? (No, not the corporate kind.)

Dad on trial for branding kids
Trial of father who branded his children like cattle goes to closing argumentsPORT ANGELES - Closing arguments are expected this afternoon in the assault trial of a Sequim man who branded his three children

Comments

[negativeneve]

Even though what he did was horribly stupid and full of douchbaggery (if his intent is to pit his children against their mom, which is what it sounds like), I don't think he deserves prison time for it. I think the minors' testimony only carries weight in whether or not he deserves to go to jail, but not whether he assaulted them.

Iirc, a professional doesn't do body mods like this to children under 16(?) even with the consent of the parent, so yeah it would make a difference if it was done by a professional because the children would be a lot older when they made their decisions.

I don't think it's the worst family bonding ritual ever, but what is the rush is getting them all done at the same time? Why couldn't he wait until a specific birthday, like their 18th or something?

[raccoonbonapart]

... or make t-shirts or something.

[misshapen_fro]

Kids should go live with mom. I don't know about prison time, but he shouldn't be in charge of them.

[chrispina]

from what i've read, mom is a drug addict who only gets very limited visitation.

[si_anenome]

Sad face. Kids sound like they have whack on both sides.

[alula_auburn]

That actually kind of make me more queasy about it--the dynamics involved in a body-mod ritual that is maybe about excluding the mom, which isn't a decision a thirteen-year-old should be asked to make, IMO, especially not in a physically permanent way.

[lady_alyria]

Is it bad that my answer is partially dependent on what was branded on them? I think SK is too stupid to be branded on people. They won't be kids forever. Does he have an SK somewhere on him too? And the fact that the mother was against it makes this so wrong and underhanded.

But the act itself was probably less invasive than circumcision. So that doesn't freak me out too much.

[kioskgirl]

On the same day, a friend branded "SK" on the arm of the father with the same red-hot branding iron, according to the father's testimony.

[chrispina]

i don't think it should be legal to brand a minor even with their consent, but i think that the punishment should be a slap on the wrist. maybe a fine and some parenting classes or something.

he also says that the mother gave her consent ahead of time, and then changed her mind afterwards. if that's the truth, i think it should count in his favor.

i know that piercing is more socially acceptable, but i don't really see a fundamental difference between a properly cared for brand or tattoo and a piercing. i think you should have to be an adult to consent to a piercing, too. i know that's a radical opinion on the booj, but that's how i feel about it. i don't think it's abuse to do it, but i think it's a decision that would be better made by adults for themselves.

[lyricmaniac]

I don't mind it and don't think he should be punished, but I also don't mind people piercing their child's ears, circumcising, and all that jazz even when the kids aren't old enough consent.