When David begins to see Jane, he maintains that his children, Dylan and Jack, do not have a say in their relationship. Do you agree that once children grow up, parents should be able to forge new relationships without their consent?
Created: 02/06/19
Replies: 14
Join Date: 10/15/10
Posts: 3442
When David begins to see Jane, he maintains that his children, Dylan and Jack, do not have a say in their relationship. Do you agree that once children grow up, parents should be able to forge new relationships without their consent?
Join Date: 03/13/12
Posts: 555
I agree, but since people in the throes of a new romance - especially one with physical attraction - can be blind to hints of problems, I believe that children or good friends need to speak up about things they see that are warning signs.
Join Date: 01/16/19
Posts: 6
I would hope that by the time kids are adults, they should be able to mind their own business and let parents mind theirs.
Consent is the wrong word. The parent does not need consent. There is a difference between expressing one's feelings about a relationship and thinking one can interfere with the relationship.
One of the things about the book that perplexed me is that people were shocked, but shock didn't last very long. That seemed unrealistic to me.
Join Date: 01/01/16
Posts: 454
Yes I do agree. I became single when my two sons were 5 and 9. Then it was very important that they liked the men I was dating. I never remarried as I unfortunately did not think anyone I dated would be a good stepfather. I stopped dating years ago but if I was to meet someone I think my grown children would know that I would be making the right choice and be happy for me.
Join Date: 07/28/11
Posts: 445
Join Date: 07/28/16
Posts: 54
Join Date: 05/26/12
Posts: 84
Yes, but I think "consent" isn't the correct term to use. In a way, I think it shouldn't be the business of the children regardless of their age. I found it very odd that so many details about their private sex life was shared with their adult children.
Join Date: 09/26/12
Posts: 191
I agree with many of the previous reviews that say consent isn’t the correct term. Hopefully one would find a companion that fit into the family dynamic but it should’t negate a happy relationship. Likewise I do not think it is the norm to discuss your sex life with your children. It just seems salacious.
Join Date: 10/24/17
Posts: 46
Yes, I agree grown children consent is not necessary. In today's society, the traditional nuclear family is, unfortunately, not the norm. Grown children should be busy carving out their niche. They should be striving to create their own positive legacy. However, in this situation, and I'm sure families today deal with "crazier" situations than the one Gang created, I can see where the boys (especially because they are young adults who are not married with their own families) had a hard time with their parents' decision and expressed their displeasure. I can also understand where they blamed their father over their mother. I understand their need to protect her. So many emotions - which is why additional time devoted to the story development may have helped the reader "buy in."
Join Date: 07/14/12
Posts: 95
Yes, adult children should not be dictating parents' relationships. However, I would hope they would intervene if I was suddenly enthralled with a dubious internet heart throb who needed money!
Join Date: 11/30/16
Posts: 11
I think parents should be able to have new relationships without the wholehearted consent/approval of children, especially in the case of divorce or death of the other spouse. In this case, where a spouse has early age Alzheimer's, it is conceivable that the other spouse may find solace in another person, BUT it is understandable that the children would be upset.
Join Date: 06/13/11
Posts: 272
Join Date: 02/25/19
Posts: 9
I believe parents should be able to forge new relationships without their kids' consent, but it is completely normal for the kids to have thoughts and feelings about said relationships.
Join Date: 02/25/19
Posts: 112
I don't think I would need their "consent," but I would definitely want their "input." A relationship between two consenting adults is their business, but family is always part of that business. It is an interesting question, and one I hope that I never have to experience personally.
Join Date: 01/28/18
Posts: 16
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