Chelsea Osbron

     The benefits of getting emancipated from your home greatly out weigh the negative factors. Many teenagers want to seek emancipation, but do not. But, why should they put up with staying at home, and being dependent on their parents? Sylvia should seek out emancipation from her house at age 16, because she could live where she wants to, could spend more time with her college boyfriend and less time with her sister, she would not have to mow the lawn anymore, and she could get a job.

     One reason Sylvia should become emancipated from her home is because she could live where she wants to. Currently, Sylvia lives in Texas with her family in a small house, and she is constantly getting sunburned. She would much rather live in Maine. Samuel Smith, a specialist on the subject of home emancipated, says in his book that “16-year-olds that leave their homes can then choose a different location to live at,” (39). Moving away would not be a problem for Sylvia. Additionally, a study done by Daniel Burg, another specialist, showed that 4 out of 4 teenagers that seek emancipation from their parent's home could leave the area (25). There would be nothing to stop her from moving to Maine. Sylvia should seek emancipation so that she can live where she wants to.

     Another reason why Sylvia should try to be emancipated is so that she can spend more time with her boyfriend and less time with her sister. Her boyfriend is going to college outside of the state Sylvia lives in, and she doesn't see him much. “Multiple studies have shown that girls that seek emancipation hang out with their sisters less,” says researcher Brian Goldfish (155). Since she wants to see her sister less, emancipation would be ideal. “The results [of moving out] are very beneficial, one being that more of your life can be spent with the person you are dating,” (Smith 99). Being able to see her boyfriend more is a major reason for Sylvia's want for emancipation, and evidence shows that she would see him more. If Sylvia gained emancipation, she could see her boyfriend more and her sister less, which is a reason she should pursue it.

     Third, Sylvia should seek emancipation so that she no longer has to mow the lawn. The lawn of her family's home is 109 acres, and it takes her 3 days to mow it. According to Lou Larson, a young woman who gained her emancipation at 16, “another result of moving out was that the yard was not my responsibility to trim and mow,” (22). If Lou did not have to mow because she left home, then neither would Sylvia if she left. “Once a girl is emancipated from her home, there is a 100% chance that she won't have to continue mowing the lawn,” (Burg 100). There is no doubt that Sylvia would be free of this chore. A third reason why she should become emancipated is so that she does not have to mow her family's lawn anymore.

     Finally, Sylvia should become emancipated from her house at 16 because she could then get a job. Her parents will not let her get a job until she moves out. “If a child gets emancipated from his or her home, their parents cannot keep them from getting a job,” (Smith 5). Sylvia would be able to seek a job because her parents would no longer be able to hold her back. A study has shown that all teenagers who gain emancipation can seek out a job (Burg 95). If all teenagers can seek one out, there is no reason why Sylvia would not be able to. A final reason for her to get emancipated is so that she can get a job.

     In conclusion, Sylvia should seek out being emancipated from her home at age 16, because she would gain the freedom to pick where she lives, she could spend way more time with her boyfriend and less time with her sister, mowing the lawn would no longer be her responsibility, and she could get a job. First, because she would no longer have to live with her parents, Sylvia could move, and live where she wants to. Second, because she would no longer have to spend so much time with her sister, she could see her boyfriend more. Third, her parents would not be able to force her to mow the lawn. Last, she could get a job because she would not have to follow her parent's rules. The wonderful opportunity of emancipation is waiting, and the benefits are great.