Does a mother have the right to transmit and implement the opinion of a child aged 7-9 as a ready-made unconditional decision? The question of whether the opinion of a child in elementary school (aged 7-9) can be the basis for unconditional decisions touches on key aspects of developmental psychology, pedagogy, family law, and ethics. The direct answer is: no, she does not have the right to consider the child's opinion as a ready-made unconditional decision, but she is obligated to take it into account and respect it, making the final decision that corresponds to the child's level of maturity, safety, and interests. This dilemma is between two extremes: authoritarian disregard for the child's will and infantile delegation of unmanageable responsibility. 1. Psychological aspects: cognitive and emotional abilities of a child aged 7-9 This age (elementary school) is a period of concrete operations according to Jean Piaget. The child is already capable of logical thinking, but within limited, concrete frameworks. His ability to predict and evaluate the long-term consequences of his desires is still extremely limited. Egoism: Although weakened compared to the preschool age, it still manifests. The child has difficulty fully taking into account the interests and feelings of others in complex situations (for example, when planning the family budget or choosing a school for a brother/sister). Immediacy and hedonistic motivation: Decisions are often dictated by immediate desire, emotion ('I want to now') or avoidance of discomfort ('I don't want to go to the doctor because it's scary'), rather than analysis of benefits/harm. Dependency on authority and the search for boundaries: A child of this age unconsciously expects adult guidance and clear boundaries. The complete transfer of the right to decide disorients and increases anxiety, as his psyche is not ready to bear such a burden. This may lead to so-called 'premature adulthood' and emotional burnout. Example: An 8 ... Read more