Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania
Hello The LawGuru team. I have a very important question to ask, since it bothers me a lot and is a big problem in my family. I am a 17 year old guy, and i am going to be 18 soon. Is it legal that my parents don't cook, and don't buy any healthy foods for me. All i get for the whole day is lunch at school, some sweets and nothing else. No breakfast, no dinner. I also dont get any exercise apart from Physical Education at school. I am very skinny, which concerns me a lot. I also dont work, since i have to study and prepare for college. I think that 1 meal a day for me is not enough and not healthy. However, my parents are fat. Literally fat. My mom always stops at Dunkin Doughnuts every morning, AFTER she dropped me off at school. (I usually find packets and cups from DD in her car). I always ask her to take me there, but she says she will be late for work. Then i eat lunch at school. Come home, do homework, and go to bed. No dinner. My step dad doesn't seem to care either. He works as a plumber, and i often find receipts on a table from Chinese Buffet, where he eats. He never invited me to go with him. I also have restricted access to internet at home, which is why i can't even learn how to cook. I'd like to get a legal advice whether it is legal to keep a child without food (not preparing it for him, and not buying fresh food), and also do they have right to keep me out of sports activity. I'd really like to hit gym, like all my friends, but my mom says it's too expensive, and she cant drive me there every day. What would be my solution?
2 Answers from Attorneys
OK and you've let this go on how long? You need to have a little chat with your guidance counselor or even a teacher you trust at school. I think you're a little too old for Children and Youth to get involved. That said you need to talk to an adult who can intervene.
{John}
Sounds like you are in the Jenkintown area-------------
You should contact Children and Youth in Montgomery County---or talk to your guidance counsellor in school. It almost sounds like your parents are keeping the food for themselves.
Some people are food addicts, as strange as it may be...definitely get some help.
Maybe speak to a juvenile officer at your local police department or call County Children and Youth.....You may be able to meet with them at the Annex in Willow Grove at York and Davisville.....
Good luck to you
Saul Segan