Calif. bill draws fire for letting children consent to STD vaccines
Some people think parents are completely irrelevant. They're the same folks (often politicians or government bureaucrats) who want to give kids birth control and abortions without parental consent. If kids are injured from these things, hospital emergency rooms won't treat them without Mom or Dad's consent (and their insurance card). But when it comes to decisions about having sex and dealing with its consequences...well...parents can just buzz off and bug out!
What do you think? I a 12-year-old mature enough to consent to the Gardisil vaccine? And if she is, does this effectively lower the age of consent to 12? And if it does, does that mean kids at age 12 can legally consent to sex with an adult with no consequences for the adult?
The culture is moving in that direction and this is one more step toward the total corruption of children and the decriminalization of abuse. What could be more abusive than injecting kids, without their parents knowledge or consent, with a serious drug that can leave them permanently damaged or dead?
no, 12 year olds are not mature enough to consent.
ReplyDeleteBut it is not a "risky" vaccine.
Interesting ethical questions. In a perfect world, I would say that no, a 12 year old is not old enough to consent to any procedure and should rely on her parents to provide council, guidance, and protection. However, in my job I too often see children of this age and younger who are abused, threatened and coerced by parents who do not have the child's best interest, or even her health and wellbeing, in mind. So these things, like most issues regarding personal liberty, should be taken on a case by case basis. Minors have rights, too. And to be clear, I am not specifically for or against this particular issue. And I am biased by what I see every day at work... most recently a "mother" who "allowed" her teenage daughter to become pregnant with her new husband's child because the mother had no success in getting pregnant and wanted to raise the baby.
ReplyDeleteCan't agree, Boinky.
ReplyDeletehttp://lesfemmes-thetruth.blogspot.com/2010/10/gardasil-continues-to-kill-and-maim.html
What a horrible situation, Anon. But most parents are not abusers and do have the interests of their children at heart. Unfortunately, the government has contributed to the problem by encouraging the corruption of moral values and the breakdown of the family. Passing laws that further destroy parents oversight of their children can only make the problem worse. Unusual cases make bad law.
ReplyDeleteI've researched the vaccine and all of my teens (boys and girls) have gotten the sequence of three shots and I plan to give it to my younger kids as well. I agree that it should be a parent's choice and not forced on anyone, however, I am frustrated with parents who refuse to vaccinate. Double-sided story for sure.
ReplyDelete