Q: Im 18, and live with my parents. My mom takes things that I buy, stating my house my rules. Is it legal?
My mom uses the my house my rules line for a lot of things, like no video games during the week, and only stay up until 10 on weekends. I can see those as fair rules. My mom keeps taking my vapes that i buy. Before anyone reading judges me, just know the nicotine helps with my migraines and in 6 states adults 18 and older can purchase these products. I buy them myself, and they arent cheap either. She keeps telling me i cant have them and its "my house, my rules". Sometimes even searching my room when im at work or out with friends. I could care less about her searching my room, but is it even legal for her to take them from me?
A:
When you're living at home, the dynamics can be complex, especially when it comes to the boundaries between personal autonomy and household rules. Your mother's stance of "my house, my rules" is common, especially for minors, but at 18, you're considered an adult in many jurisdictions. This means you typically have legal control over your own possessions, including items you purchase with your own money.
However, when living in someone else's home, there may be a degree of consent implied to certain house rules, which can include prohibitions on certain items like vapes, regardless of the legal purchasing age. While adults have the right to personal property, the situation becomes nuanced when the property is kept in someone else's home. Your mother's actions, such as taking items you've bought or searching your room, while frustrating, are not straightforwardly illegal but can be seen as infringing on your privacy and autonomy.
It might be beneficial to have an open discussion with your mother about your needs and boundaries, especially concerning your migraines and the items you purchase for their relief. Establishing mutual respect and understanding could help in finding a compromise that respects both your autonomy as an adult and her rules as the homeowner. If discussions do not lead to a satisfactory resolution, you may consider other living arrangements where your autonomy can be fully respected.
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