Aubrey Ireland, a 21-year student at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, was granted a restraining order against her parents. Aubrey states that her parents went too far in keeping tabs on her while she was at college. Julie and David Ireland, her parents, admitted in court that they installed monitoring software in her laptop and cell phone.
Aubrey said her parents would make unannounced visits to the school in which they would besmirch her reputation by stating that their daughter was promiscuous, using illicit drugs and was mentally ill. Aubrey states: “It’s just been really embarrassing and upsetting to have my parents come to my university when I’m a grown adult and just basically slander my name and follow me around.”
Aubrey told her parents to stop. Her parents apparently told college officials that they could take her to court because of her mental illness. Her father was particularly worried for her because he had a family history of mental illness. A few of his cousins had committed suicide and he was worried that his only daughter maybe ill. Probably the most disturbing accusation made by Aubrey is that her parents would sometimes make her Skype with them at night and aim the camera at her bed as she slept.
School officials became so worried about her parents that they hired bodyguards to prevent them from attending any of their daughter’s plays. Aubrey had always been a great student and was awarded many scholarships to attend a myriad of colleges. Her parents decided they would pay her tuition so that she could attend the best school for her passion, Music Theater.
Her parents stopped paying her tuition when they were completely cut off. Her school gave her a full scholarship for her last year. The judge decided that Aubrey is an adult and can do as she pleases. Her parents aren’t allowed to contact her until at least September 23, 2013. Her parents have asked for a refund of their money they paid for her tuition from their daughter.
Here is what I think:
I think her parents definitely crossed the line, even if the girl maybe ill. In the end they have to allow her to live her life. As for Aubrey, if she wanted total independence from her parents then why did she continue to accept their payment of her tuition? I don’t think you can have it both ways. You can’t expect to have your parents fund your college education and expect to not cede some of your privacy (albeit in this case they overstepped).
What do you think?
