Oh I agree, the issue is not so cut and dry. As I said, I'm of two minds on the issue.
There is some precedent of parents being brought on charges if they neglect health care, like when parents kill their children because they prayed for them. (Although I think there needs to be harsher punishments for crimes like these)
I think we need to try to get a handle on when the parent has the right to be involved in their child's health care and when they need back off and let the Doctor's handle thing. For instance, there is no such thing as informed consent. (Meaning, you can explain a procedure to a patient or next of kin, but it's very unlikely they can understand the complexity of the medical procedure and all it's pros and cons unless they are a doctor as well)
In the end all I'm saying is we have this gut reaction to say every child deserves the right to an abortion without their parent's religious belief interfering, and what legal obligations Doctor's have when dealing with underage patients. Because hey, if I had a child I would sure as hell want to be informed if they got an abortion. Granted, I would not try to influence my child's decision but jsut try to be there for them. Not all parents would have that mindset.
There is some precedent of parents being brought on charges if they neglect health care, like when parents kill their children because they prayed for them. (Although I think there needs to be harsher punishments for crimes like these)
I think we need to try to get a handle on when the parent has the right to be involved in their child's health care and when they need back off and let the Doctor's handle thing. For instance, there is no such thing as informed consent. (Meaning, you can explain a procedure to a patient or next of kin, but it's very unlikely they can understand the complexity of the medical procedure and all it's pros and cons unless they are a doctor as well)
In the end all I'm saying is we have this gut reaction to say every child deserves the right to an abortion without their parent's religious belief interfering, and what legal obligations Doctor's have when dealing with underage patients. Because hey, if I had a child I would sure as hell want to be informed if they got an abortion. Granted, I would not try to influence my child's decision but jsut try to be there for them. Not all parents would have that mindset.
"The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason." Benjamin Franklin
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