I have a major problem,my 14 year old son DOES NOT want to go to school.What are the consequences for me and him?I try every day to get him to go but he wont budge.

Emland

I am pretty sure it would depend on your local jurisdiction, but both of you could possibly get in trouble with the law.

A coworker of mine had the same problem with her daughter - she simply would not go to school. If she was taken by her mom then she would sneak out between classes. The girl got pick up for truancy and the mother was brought up on charges of child neglect through social services. She was in this mess for a couple of years.

I would call the school counselor and social services and ask for help. Take an offensive rather than defensive stance. Is someone at the school bullying your child? Is your kid a square peg in a round hole world? My nephew has had that problem and as soon as he turned sixteen, his mother enrolled him in GED classes and now he is studying HVAC and working as an apprentice since academics just aren't meant for him.

I wish the best for you!

E

Clough

I agree with Emland. Where I live, which is in Rock Island, IL, there is a possible fine if someone who is required to attend school does not do so.

If he were my son, and the problem turned out to be solely because of his attitude, I would find out what the possible fine would be by going to the courthouse or asking a truancy officer, and then show documentation concerning that to my son.

Just to give you an idea about fines and the way that things proceed in situations like this, the following sites may be of use to you:

www.jp.hctx.net/truancy/Truancy.pdf

School attendance: your responsibilities - ParentsCentre

Information about Failure to Attend School Cases

Maricruz

You need to figure out why he doesn't want to go to school. It might be bullying but it also could be that he is not learning for whatever reason. Has he told you why he doesn't want to go?
is there another trusted adult he could talk to?
Don't give in to this one, even if there weren't truancy laws to contend with, in a few years you will both regret it. We can't get very far in this day and age without a minimum of education. Good luck...

Fr_Chuck

Yes you need to call the school cousleor and also the juv case workers in your area. If you let the school come after you, yes you can be charged with not sending him to school, You may have to have the courts declare him truant and perhaps send him to a boot camp, or to juv detention for a bit to help change his opinion and his not obeying.

I wlll assume physcially draging him is not a possiblility.