As I was reading the letter from Doris Wrench Eisler (“Christians Don't Own the Book on Morality” Gazette, July 28) I found myself agreeing with much of what was said until I read this – “parents don't own children: they are entrusted to the care of parents.” It sent a chill and sharp pain down my spine. I think Doris is confused.
Ownership of children is not meant to imply chattel or property in the legal sense but certainly parents “own” their children in the sense that they are their offspring. If she means adoptive parents or custodial parents then she may have a point. But the blanket statement like the one she used is simplistic and reductionist.
Furthermore to say that children are “entrusted to the care of parents” in such a blanket statement begs the question “who is entrusting?” Again, the statement is too simplistic, confusing and generic to apply to parents who have biological offspring. Yes, it may apply to court-ordered adoptions or other methods of care but certainly not to biological parents. Now, if Doris is saying biological parents are entrusted to care for their children then her world view is statist and Orwellian. God forbid!
Nick Palliser, St. Albert
