Children Divorcing Their Parents: Gregory K v. Ralph K (2002)

Abstract

"The 12-year old known as 'Gregory K.' was sensationally reported to be the boy who wanted to 'divorce his parents', but Gregory Kingsley's case was much more complex and important than that. Living in a foster home, he believed that his mother had abandoned him and presented evidence that she had been neglectful. The question isn't whether a child has the right to 'divorce his parents' but rather, does a child have the right to be heard in a court of law. Gregory K's case turned out to be a landmark in setting legal precedents regarding the rights of children under 18." [description taken from cassette box] A study guide for this program is available from Choices, Inc. At http://www.choicesvideo.net/guidebooks/WAV/landmarktrialsofmodern ethicsgregoryk.pdf. This guide is housed with the video in the NRCBL collection. "New conditions bring new choices. Today, advances in technology and changing social norms force us to confront ethical issues that rarely arose in the past. Sophisticated medical devices can keep a patient alive in ways that were once impossible. But what if a patient--or a patient's family--doesn't wish these mechanisms to be used? Another concern involves the end of life-- who decides when it occurs? If a terminally ill person chooses to die, does that person deserve medical assistance? Or how far can a child go when he believes his parents are abusive? Very often, such delicate questions must be decided in court. LANDMARK TRIALS OF MODERN ETHICS explores some of these remarkable cases." [description taken from cassette box]