Re: sad story - sadder comments

Sadly, when given their own choice we can't always expect people of ANY age to make the right one. People will always be driven by sentimentality and other factors in making their choices. Does this mean that it's better to force people to do what others think are best for them? Not really. If someone is to make a mistake, it's better that it's their own mistake rather than the mistake of others. I think people learn more lessons from their own mistakes than when they are forced into a "better" situation by "wiser" folks.

It's true that many kids from abusive households would still choose to live at home. After all, it's the only family they know and people prefer the surroundings of the familiar, even if their familiar surroundings are bad. In all cases, children should be allowed to know that there are alternative choices. In any case, I agree with Baldur's suggestions.