Last week NJ teen, Rachel Canning, sued parents for child support in high school tuition and college. She left her family five months before she sued her parents. In the case proceeding her parents denied all allegations of emotional abuse and said Rachel left voluntarily after she refused to abide by simple rules of the house including doing some chores, abiding by curfew and being respectful, plus there was quarreling over Rachel's boyfriend concerning that Rachel had bad influence from him.  In the meantime the media headline was "NJ honor student booted from home sues parent for college tuition."  Such wording as honor student and spoiled girl can be rather misleading readers by expecting a surprise how an honor student could bring about such legal issues. I think it is a bias if people think that the cognitive level is positively correlated to the level of emotional control in this case of family feud.  Secondly, the parents' reasoning of simple house rules is arguably an over-expectation for adolescents during puberty. If this were the only reason for letting their child go, I'd probably find myself on the other side of the world from my boys. During their most turbulent period of cognitive and emotional development, it's difficult to gauge factors like responsibility and respect.  The Cunnings' problem can't simply be based on financial support. In general, I think that the greatest achievement for parents dealing with children during puberty is overcoming the ups and downs of hormonal change unscathed. No matter what culture you belong to, the concept of family is too subtle to be defined in one word. The emotional bond and trust that is built over a lifetime, often through painful memories, is what really keeps a family together in times of crisis.