Legally, what conditions must be present for our government to be able to impose and override a parents’ normal autonomy of their children regarding medical practices? Explain and give specific examples. Why do parents have the normal autonomy over their children? Name and briefly explain a controversial case where you think government intervention regarding a child’s medical treatment is justified or not. Explain why you think the government does or does not have the right (morally) to override the parents’ autonomy over their own child in that specific case.
Parents have right on their children. This right should be allowed up to certain extent only. Rights should not cause harm to any person's life. It can be understood through an example. Recently I heard a news that there was a couple who was having a new born baby suffering from Jaundice.
Couple was poor so they were unable to take the expenses of treatment. Their neighbours came up with helping hands. The couple decided that they will not take anybody's help and they just started praying for their children.
They believed that their prayer would definitely treat their child. After two days child became dead. In this case who is there to blame. Parents have right to decide the health of their children because they have brought that child in this physical world.
They have a natural right on their child but this natural right also come up with certain restrictions. Rights should be enjoyed in a manner that it should not harm anybody's life. In the example given above it is clearly evident that parents are responsible for the death of child.
Parent should have autonomy to decide the health status of their child only if it ensures a healthy future of child. This right can only be provided full support if it brings good message to society. Destructive and depressive steps should be avoided and criticised also.
Government should intervene in the cases like the example given above. Laws should be there to override the destructive decisions of parents. If parents take their child for vaccination then it should be praised. If they take care of their good health then it should be praised.
If they take their child as granted and consider their full right on child's body and promote illegal activities, then it should be controlled by law. Giving birth to someone does not mean that we have right to destroy child's organs.
Having child brings moral responsibilities. Parents should consider their child as their responsibility and not as their property. When feeling of responsibility becomes exchanged with feeling of right then anarchy may spread in society. It should be controlled through law.
Legally, what conditions must be present for our government to be able to impose and override...