A Redditor is being protective of their younger sibling after the demeanor of their parents changed significantly.
The Redditor’s sister was taken out of the school system at a young age and has not been back since, prompting the concerned elder sibling to take matters into their own hands.
Because they feel they are alone in this conflict, the Redditor visited the “Am I the A**hole?” (AITA) subReddit to seek judgment from strangers online.
There, Redditor Evamooo asked:
“AITA for calling CPS on my parents for not enrolling my sibling in school?”
The Original Poster (OP) explained:
“My parents found Christ during covid and completely turned a 180, and not for the better. They have gone down the rabbit holes and conspiracies that the earth is flat, covid was fake, space isn’t real, etc.”
“For reference, my sister was 6-7 when they’d left the province we are from and took her out of school. They came back to our hometown last year, and they never enrolled her in school because they now believe that the school system is too corrupt and full of the devils teachings.”
“My sister is now 9 and cannot read and is also in the beliefs that I shared.”
The OP continued:
“Myself and others in our family have come to my parents with our concerns, and they dismiss us and tell us school is ‘evil’ and full of lies..like the earth being round.”
“I am scared for my sister and her future. Also, I have not yet called, but do plan to call CPS because even with threats from our family getting CPS involved, they don’t seem to care or take it seriously.”
“Posted in another group because I didn’t realize there were so many, lol.”
In updates, the OP confirmed, “It’s child and family services in Canada. I forget it’s not the same as the states. CAS I believe.”
Anonymous strangers weighed in by declaring:
- NTA – Not The A**hole
- YTA – You’re The A**hole
- ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
- NAH – No A**holes Here
Many Redditors thought the OP was not the a**hole (NTA) here.
“NTA- I’m not against homeschooling, as long as there’s actually school happening, and it doesn’t sound like there is in this case. This sounds like ‘unschooling’, which imo is neglectful.”
“However keep in mind, depending where your parents are located, they very well could be within legal rights to ‘unschool.’ I know lot of states have little to no restrictions on what needs to be taught.”
“Is there anything else that could warrant a CPS call just in case they are within legal rights?” – idowithkozlowski
“Yes, call CPS, it’s the right thing to do but don’t tell your parents that you are doing this in case the abscond or hide your sister.”
“I have grave concerns for your parents though and your description of this being a psychosis – can you get them mental health support?” – BeeDry2896
The OP added some context.
“I have tried, actually. My mother used to be in therapy, but after turning to her believed God, she thinks she no longer needs help. She is certainly going through some sort of crisis, but right now, I am more concerned for my little sister as I cannot imagine the psychological damage my parent’s mental health issues are causing her.”
“& yes, I will not be confronting them with this.”
Reddit continued.
“Agreed. OP, call CPS. And, never tell your parents it was you. If they ask, lie to their faces. This is one lie that you are allowed to tell, and in fact should tell for your own protection and your younger sibling.”
“Your sister will need you to stay close to her, and if they turn on you it’s going to make that difficult. I think you have more than just a neglect case to report, this sounds like some serious emotional and mental abuse.” – Temporary_Wealth_222
“Before you call them (im not saying don’t call because you definitely should) make arrangements so you can take your sister in if she is removed, or work with someone you can trust who can take her in.”
“Try to plan ahead for the worst-case scenario so that things can be as smooth and stress-free for your sister as possible so that she can get the help she needs. If she has been drinking the same kool-aid as your parents, then she is going to need help adjusting, and stability can help with that process.”
“My point is, do call, but do your best to make sure your sister is actually getting the help she needs because that is the end goal here, helping her.” – Environmental_Art591
“I’m not sure where in Canada you are, but in Ontario, you still have to register the children with the local school district, and you have to follow the province’s curriculum.”
“There are all kinds of things that go back and forth between the student and the school system to ensure that the homeschooled child is actually learning. So she’s not even registered then yes CPS involvement is warranted. This is always a huge red flag for abuse.” – CannedAm
“Friends of mine homeschooled their children in Ontario and Quebec. It’s been a few years since they graduated, but both provinces required homeschooled students to pass all the usual provincial tests for each grade level.”
“Canadian students are required to attend school or an equivalent education program (homeschooled or specialized) until their 16th or 18th birthday, depending on where they reside. There are exceptions in case of illness or other ‘unavoidable reasons’, but your parents would have to have made arrangements through the Ministry of Education.”
“If your sister is under sixteen she’s truant. Your parents are in for a world of hurt when the MoE catches on. Worse yet, she could get charged for truancy as she gets older. In Ontario students twelve and up with chronic truancies get fined $1000, put on a year’s probation and can go to jail for 30 days if they break the conditions of said probation – which includes mandatory school attendance.”
“Make the call OP.” – Odd_Campaign_307
“Space isn’t real? Wow.”
“NTA. Call, and thanks for looking out for your sister. Both of you deserve better than this.” – EsmeWeatherwax7a
“NTA. Kids need education to function in the world. Without it, OP’s sister will be at a massive disadvantage her whole life. OP is brave by calling CPS, and it’s absolutely the right choice.” – JrGrind3r
“NTA – the Bible tells us to love each other and to cherish children. Jesus and the prophets are all about people learning and growing as people. There is nothing in Holy Scripture about the earth being flat, or space not being real.”
“No serious person believes these things; we love science, which is a gift from God. Stunting a child’s learning deliberately is a sin, as it allows them not to be able to read and learn the scriptures for themselves. It is not a position of love. You alerted authorities to serious neglect on your parent’s part, which was an act of love to your sibling.” – HighwayManBS
“NTA – This is educational neglect. This isn’t homeschooling because they aren’t educating her, they’re depriving her of an education. You wouldn’t be an AH for looking out for your little sister. She deserves an education.” – CrimsonKnight_004
“NTA. I used to work for the department of child services and educational neglect is a legit problem. We had a kid who was 11 and never went to school because his dad was a conspiracy theorist. He couldn’t read or write and had to start kindergarten at 11.” – Pristine-Plum-1045
“NTA. I really feel for you. This happened to quite a few people during COVID sadly and that’s their life choice, but when it’s affecting a child, and likely will for the rest of her life without intervention, the needs of the child must come first. You are very strong and I commend you. I would do it.” – ethereal_galaxias
“Not only are they breaking a law they’re socially and emotionally stunting your sister by not allowing her to interact with people her own age.”
“You always knew the homeschool kids. Even when you had to act surprised because it was the polite thing to do. There’s so much interaction that’s nuanced and age-coded, she’ll have trouble relating to others when she’s older.”
“NTA.” – ilovechairs
“NTA. Canadian physician here, and big fan of Smosh if this makes it there lol. Calling CFS is reasonable for anyone who has concerns about a child’s well-being. While parents do have plenty of rights, school is mandatory in Canada. Also calling CFS is not an automatic trigger for legal charges, it is simply about the child’s welfare.”
“They will investigate, and they do their best not to automatically remove children from the home. They will work with the parents to ensure their needs are being met. So, while your parents may not be happy with the call, the best thing they can do is work with CFS to ensure your sibling is getting what they need. But definitely a red flag for a 9-year-old to not be literate.”
“We are seeing a lot more of this pseudo-Christian uprising in Canada, especially since the pandemic, and it is an issue.” – Smooth-Ad1404
Overall, Redditors sided with the OP as not the a**hole for looking out for their sister’s well-being.
Many continued encouraging them to contact CPS and assured them that reaching out for help was more important than worrying about the parents’ response.