caryking said:
Civilized said:
GuerrillaPack said:
Civilized said:
GuerrillaPack said:
Welp, nice try. There's at least one. Not zero. And probably many more.
So who made the false statement here? YOU did. Not me.
Now, please hokie...go back to splitting hairs, desperately trying to prove that I posted something "wrong". Don't give up.
Y'all are in a pissing match about whether or not it's happened and glossing over the meat of the issue.
Should minors reaching a certain age, maturity level, or other benchmark(s) have authority to consent to some health care such as contraceptive services or vaccines without their parent's permission?
If not, why not?
Similar to age of consent for sexual activity. Children (under around 17/18 years old) are not, cognitively, able to consent to certain things. They haven't matured enough to fully understand the consequences of certain actions. Like asking someone who is only 15 or 16 years old to sign a completed legal document or contract. It wouldn't stand in court. They're not an adult, and don't understand what they are getting into.
The parents (consulting with their children) should have the final decision on whether or not to vaccinate.
You're old enough in high school to learn biology, chemistry, physics and complex math and drive a car but not capable of deciding if you want to take a vaccine?
Do you feel the same way about birth control and sex health? High schoolers are making the decision to have sex whether you think they're old enough or not. Surely they should have access to contraception and sexual health care right?
Civ, High Schoolers are making immature decisions about sex. We've all been there! As far as I'm concerned, if I'm supporting my children, I have a say! If my children don't want me having a say, then quit taking my money. Now, as a parent, I also know the appropriate amount of say that's important.
BTW, my daughters are 23 and 21. Oldest lives in NYC, youngest at NC State! Guess what, I spend 2,500 to 3,500 a month on them. Truth be known, it's probably more than that as my wife doesn't always tell me everything. I'm ok with that! Do you think I should have a say?
Regarding the vaccine, we asked them what they felt comfortable doing…. Oldest got the vaccine, youngest did not. Both of my girls are very conservative with my youngest being the most active in politics. I find this one funny…. My youngest calls the vaccine: Liberal Liquid!
What does "having a say" mean?
"Offering an opinion?"
Or "Having the legal right to deny your minor teenager desired or needed health care that will reduce their risk?"
If your daughter had come to you or your wife as a 16 year old sophomore and said "Mom, this may be hard to hear but I want to go on birth control" should you be able to deny them that care?
They've told you they're going to become (or already are) sexually active. The only issue is whether you're going to help them reduce their risk of unwanted outcomes.
The issue would come up less with a family that's open and emotionally honest anyway. The bigger problem is kids not ever even bringing it up to parents that would be furious or would just say 'no', and then participating in the risky behavior anyway.
The question is both pragmatic and ethical.
Practically speaking, with mild interventions with very good outcomes and very limited risk like vaccines and sexual health care, the risk/reward leans very heavily towards allowing minor children of a certain age to make their own decisions.
Ethically, why should a minor capable of fairly complex decisions be denied wanted or needed health care *when the health care is low-risk and highly efficacious*?
