Children in a Libertarian Utopia

Several related topics have come up in just the last couple days that I'd like to clarify my position on. People still seem to labor under the impression that libertarians, in general, should be opposed to government interference in just about anything. My last post about Orson Scott Card contained this quote from me:

"In Texas, where I live, the religious right successfully blocked legislation requiring that all girls get the HPV vaccine. That is uncivilized."

To which Robert O asked:

"Wouldn't that be a good thing, considering your otherwise libertarian leanings? Or perhaps I'm misunderstanding your point."

Children don't have rights the same way as adults do. (We'll leave aside the debate about how you decide if someone is an adult). They don't have the capacity to make good decisions about their well-being and future. A parent does not have the right to abuse a child, or even endanger their well-being. Negligence is a crime. It is a common misconception that a libertarian should believe that the government has no right to interfere with how people raise their children. This is not a libertarian position, but an anti-federalist position.

In the case of vaccination, parents that refuse to protect their children's health to the best of their ability are not competent as parents. We have a duty, as a society, to guarantee children's welfare, because they aren't adults. It's the only sane way to operate a society that wants to ensure its long-term survival.

Then, the raid on the "polygamist" compound in El Dorado, TX, and, of course, the anti-federalists are throwing a fit about this "government interference". Bullshit. I sincerely believe that if a man wants to have 5 wives, he has that right. But I don't see how that belief should also obligate me to support his dangerous and sick practice of marrying 13 year-old girls. Attention religious nutjobs: Your religion does not give you the right to abuse children, deprive them of an education, or endanger their long term mental or physical health. Jason Kuznicki and Tim Sandefur have more from a true libertarian perspective.