Should children be allowed to make their own choices?

I wonder, would she let a rapist use that as a defense?
"Well, that's how she put herself out there, that's her". Parenting by non-parenting is not parenting.
I do think as children get older they should be allowed to make some bad decisions, to learn that doing so means you also have consequences.

Im only 19, but me and my boyfriend have talked about what we would do when we get to that point. Will raise our kids to be RESPECTFUL. They have to respect their body. I would never let the undies thing slide on facebook. Thats just asking for trouble

As a parent I feel I am responsible in leading my daughter in the direction in which I believe is the most respectable in the way she views herself and others. We all have different opinions on what they may be. However, it seems to me that her mother doesn't want her daughter acting in that way, but doesn't want to take responsibility for her. She is still a minor. It's pretty sad if you ask me.

My stepdaughter lives wither mom, who lives by the philosophy, “If she wants to put herself out there like that, that’s her choice”. My stepdaughter is allowed to choose what clothes she wears, even it’s not appropriate. She can decide what type of shows to watch on TV, what kind of music to listen to. (Bad Girls club, the Housewives shows, etc) It’s been this way since she was little, and now that she’s 16, the choices that her mom has allowed her to make are getting her in trouble. She dresses provocatively, posts pictures of her wearing nothing but a bra and panties on facebook, and all kinds of other foolishness. Guess what her mom says? “Well if that’s how she wants to put herself out there, that’s her”. She accepts no responsibility for her child's actions.

Some people allow their kids to choose what they wear, what they eat, or what kind of movie they may like, and I get that, children aren’t robots, they have an opinion. But where do you draw the line on what they can and can’t choose for themselves?

Wow, poor kid and what irresponsible parents. That's just sad. That kid is learning to have no self respect. She will not know about boundaries. Parents are suppose guide and discipline their children so they can grow up to be responsible and healthy adults. What good can come from her if she is already doing all these things @ 16. Fail on the parents side for not instilling any discipline. What about healthy moral values? The decisions that this girl is making speaks volumes of the parents. I can't stand parents like this. Drives me insane to know that people out there let their children (because yes, she is still a child) gets away with sh$t like this.

Yeah, if I let my 2-year old make her own choices, she would subsist on Pringles and Smarties. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that parenting involves allowing your children to make their own choices from a list of options that you deem appropriate.

For Example: This morning the above mentioned 2-year old wants cookies and pringles for breakfast. I tell her she can have yogurt or a banana. I allow her to 'choose' from a predetermined list.

The same philosophy will apply to my oldest (8) who is becoming more and more opinionated. I have no problem letting her make certain decisions, but I have the right to identify what she can choose from.
Example: What to wear the first day of school. She wants to wears jeans and a t-shirt. I want her to wear a shirt and matching blouse. In the end: I told her "Mom gets to pick your clothes for the first day, you can pick you clothes for the 2nd day."

Its all about compromise and boundaries. If I caught pics of her on FB half clothed, you better believe the account is getting deleted. And when she can be appropriate, she'll be welcome to set up a new one

Hopefully the negative teenage behaviour will lead to the development of positive adult behaviour. If one is going to get into trouble it's better to do so before reaching that magic age of 18. Hopefully she will begin to see you as a positive adult role model as she gets nearer to that age and will change how she behaves. If not, then it's possible she's looking at a very rocky beginning to adulthood. Have you tried speaking with her about it? Or is that "not your place"? It sucks to see a problem and to not be able to do anything about it. I hope you find yourself in a position from which you can talk to her. Good luck.

I disagree with all of you...children should be allowed to make the choices I give to them. That is all...

If children are taught what the right choice is from early on when they get to be teenagers they are far more likely to make the right choice. When they are little they should be allowed to make small choices whithin certain boundaries. Would you like this or that type of choices. Not watch what you want on tv but would you like to watch this or that show. They should be allowed to pick their own clothes but they shouldn't be allowed to buy bad choices to begin with. Everyone has their own free will that they are born with and I never want to take that from my kids, but if I want them to make good moral choices, I have to teach them how.
This poor girl has had zero boundaries and therefore has no sense of what is wrong or right. She is completely responsible for the bad things her daughter is doing now.

Depends on the age and ability to make choices that will not cause them harm.

I disagree with all of you...children should be allowed to make the choices I give to them. That is all...

haha well said