What does Elian want?
That is the question that nobody is asking.
Without making prejudgement, I must nevertheless point-out that when Elian was taken, he was reassured that he was not being sent back to Cuba - only to be with his father.
Does Elian think that he will be able to stay with his father here? Does he even know that he will be sent back to Cuba?
One would hope that the court will make this clear to him, and allow him to influence the decision. And one would hope that, having been given these reassurances that he was not going back, that he will be able to grasp what the court is telling him.
If there is anything outside of the boy's wishes and ultimate best interest that should be considered, it is the fact that his mother gave-up her life in an attempt to bring him here.
How will the boy be affected by knowing that his mother died in vain? That she died to bring him here, only to be sent back by the system she thought was his best chance for a future?
I can't say what Elian wants. Perhaps he doesn't know himself, and it must be decided on other factors. I know what I'd likely want if I were him, thought - to stay here with my father.
The ultimate best outcome - though I doubt very much that it will happen - would be for the father to stay here, giving Elian a real family while at the same time honoring what his mother died for.
Frankly, I don't think it matters much to his welfare whether he stays or goes. It seems he has people who love him in either place. Whether he wants it or not, unfortunately, he is going to live a rather public life from here on out in either place - the decision won't affect that. The case is high-profile enough that I doubt anything "bad" will happen to him either way.
If he stays, he likely will feel guilty about leaving his father. If he goes, he likely will feel guilty about the death of his mother. Sounds like about equal damage. (Only his father can take action to avoid both.)
I think the boy should be allowed to choose. |
