1st Commentary Article

Child Autonomy for Medical Choices

There is a large debate going on regarding whether the final say in medical decisions for the adolescent should fall to them or their legal guardians. Most agree that parental guidance is beneficial, but the question is whether it is fair to allow the guardians to make the decision for their child's health.

I think that adolescents should have legal authority over their own body once they reach the age of thirteen, the age commonly regarded as the beginning of adolescence.

Some would prefer to give parents the final decision because they believe adolescents will make irrational decisions that could potentially harm themselves and others. Studies have shown that the brain is not fully developed until the age of twenty six, so children do not have the same ability to make beneficial decisions.

However, opposing studies have shown that while adolescents use a different part of the brain for making decisions, their capability to make decisions is similar to that of an adult. Adults and children are similar in the fact that they will not always make the best decision.

Currently, consent by proxy from the guardian is necessary in a child's medical treatment. Allowing another person to decide the child's medical care is a violation of the adolescent's constitutional right of liberty over the mind and body.

Not all guardians will make the best decision for their child. "Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a mental illness and a form of child abuse. The caretaker of a child, usually a mother, either makes up fake symptoms or causes real symptoms to make it look like the child is sick." (U.S. National Library of Medicine) In the case of Munchausen, the parent uses their authority to make medical decisions with the intent of harming the child. The best way to insure the decision is made to benefit the child is to have the choice decided by that child. 

Small groups feel that the decision should be made by the medical professionals, but the majority agree that will lead to corruption of doctors forcing expensive treatment and a greater harm to human rights. 

The question of autonomy is only an issue when the wishes of the parent and the child are in conflict. Most of the time, the two groups are in agreement. I feel that when they differ, the adolescent should have ultimate control over their body. They can receive the advice and guidance of parents and medical staff if they choose. 

Some guardians do not make beneficial decisions for their adolescents for different reasons. Parents that are particularly old, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, have strict religious beliefs, or don't seek medical advice are at risk to make choices that can negatively impact their child.

The goal of all sides of this debate is to protect the adolescent's health and human right's. I believe the best way to secure these things and to have decisions made in the child's best interests is to give adolescents autonomy over their medical choices.

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