Neither do parents. I do not "own" my children. Parent's who believe they do are uncivilized savages.
and permitting the state to usurp parental sovereignty is an extremely perilous and slippery slope.
Protection of the life, liberty and property of its citizens is not a "usurpation." Slippery slope arguments are, in general, invalid. I won't accept yours.
We have Constitutions, legislatures, judiciaries, and the plaintiff's bar to assure that won't happen. I could just as easily claim that taking an absolutist position with regards to the lives of children winds up with dead kids. And it does.
The same goes for physical discipline of children. I think it's entirely appropriate in the vast majority of cases, although it can obviously be abusive in others. That doesn't mean it should be banned altogether.
So, you admit there are circumstances where parents are not sovereign? My God man! if parents aren't allowed to shoot or stab their children, we'd be on an incredibly slippery slope!
many parents smoke (tobacco or whatever) it does not rise to the compelling level of what would constitute actionable child abuse.
OK. This conversation is over: you are a complete fool.
Smoking marijuana in the same room with a child is actionable child abuse. I've got nothing more to say to you. It's clear that you really do believe that children are chattel. Not interested in carrying on a "debate" with such a person.
Ahh, back to the tried and true name-calling, I see. Have a cup of chamomile tea or something; you need to calm down.
Your hysteria is comical.