Children’s rights and compulsory schooling

A child in Germany is not a parent’s "property" but a person with rights: protection from violence, education, a voice (growing with age), both parents after divorce. Schulpflicht means schooling is compulsory from 6 to ~18: truancy costs up to ~€1,000, homeschooling is nearly banned (unlike the US). The Kindeswohl — child welfare — is the yardstick of every court decision.

• ●Jugendamt protects children: free help, not only "taking away"
• ●Schulpflicht means school daily — truancy brings a letter plus a fine
• ●Religion class can be declined — but the school picks the substitute