Understanding Emancipation Laws

How do you say “emancipation” in Klingon? What about Asgardian? Perhaps you’re more comfortable with Wookiee consonants or Huttese syllables? If you’ve ever thought, or been made to think, that the human condition is completely alien to other civilizations, I’m pleased to report the opposite likely holds true. And no, I’m not attempting to create an intergalactic incident by bringing the nuances of your ill-fated claim to serve as the basis for a space treaty. Let’s just say that we’re after something entirely different in this discussion of human emancipation laws, and how an extraterrestrial visitor might view an archaic Southern body of law.

So what are we getting at? Laws are the framework that allow civilizations to make sense of seemingly chaotic lives – if these rules didn’t exist, you might run into a fellow citizen in the street, say “good afternoon” and immediately challenge their possessions. But instead, we must follow an orderly hierarchy of justice – refusing to pay your parking ticket could earn you a fine; vomiting on someone’s shoes at an intergalactic deep-fried Snail race could land you a hefty social penalty.

Your average tin-foil-hat denier will lament that aliens have infiltrated our legal framework to somehow subjugate mankind. The truth is, however, that a great many laws across cultures and even epochs have more similarities than they do differences. And for humanity, there are few better examples than emancipation laws in the United States – specifically, Arkansas emancipation laws. They’re exacting, complicated, and reflect a much more polyphonic culture than the average alien might understand.

For the humans among us, emancipation is code for parental intervention in the lives of under-age offspring. In the land of black-and-white terms, it seems like a simple solution to a complex problem. Yet, Arkansas emancipation laws are complicated enough to make removing a splinter seem a Herculean effort. Broadly speaking, emancipation means that a minor – usually under age 18 – is legally freed from restrictive acts of their parental units and also given sole custody of their property.

Many jurisdictions permit restricted emancipation where the child is released from discrimination and liability, but only temporally. They’re free until their 18th birthday – at which point all prior rules are renewed. In Arkansas, however, the difficulties compound. While emancipation may seem like the perfect solution to an overbearing parental situation, certain restrictions are placed on emancipated individuals that artificial barriers to escape are. Requirements for emancipation in Arkansas include:

• Even by this point, it’s easy to see why the average Arkansas teen might give up on parental getaway attempts through emancipation. In fact, just a handful of reasons are listed above. From finger-printing concerns to intensive interview processes, you might find a comparable procedure for hurricane evacuation.
• Freed from the toxic fumes of family structure, the emancipated minor is presented with the keys to their new freedom. But unlike the average window of opportunity, emancipation does not last a lifetime. Instead of being entirely freed from a legal standpoint, emancipated individuals in the Natural State are more entrenched than ever.
• With the shackles of paternal punishments removed, these teens now answered to the Army of One – themselves.

A quick comparison of emancipation preparation can give an alien a good idea of the difficulty faced by Arkansas teens. In Wisconsin, for instance, an emancipated minor has all of the rights and responsibilities of an adult. You can go to the movies, but you’re also responsible for your credit record. Still, emancipation is reserved for a select few – who will be tried in a lesser court. These controls contrast against the new lives of Arkansans. Here, rules are much easier – pay your taxes, take out a loan and enjoy a savage taco night, all without the need to stroke of red tape. For the alien, such simplicity would be shocking, to say the least.