Can Physicians Override Parents’ Wishes For Their Children Based On Religious Beliefs?

The Supreme Court of the United States has long upheld the right of parents to make decisions for their children based on religious grounds. However, when the child’s physical or mental health is not at stake, states and courts defer to the decisions of the parents. A systematic review addresses three related issues: parents’ refusal of medical treatment for their children; religious exemptions to child abuse and \n religious beliefs concerning spiritual healing, faith healing, or preference for prayer over traditional health care for children. Parents often refuse effective cancer treatment for four reasons: they prefer complementary and alternative treatments; they believe they are acting against what God has given them; and they may be overruled if treatment would be harmful.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has published guidelines for healthcare professionals who encounter families with religious beliefs that lead to refusal of treatment. Physicians must balance respect for the parents’ wishes or views about treatment, but may be overruled if treatment would be harmful. In the case of terminally ill baby Charlie Gard, medical professionals disagreed with his parents over what was in his best interests.

The preference for SH over BI is usually taken as meaning that parental choices of medical treatment should prevail so long as they do not risk harm. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises physicians to obtain “parental permission” instead of seeking informed consent. Parents generally have the sole authority to decide whether their children will receive medical treatment, and a physician may not treat a minor without the consent of the parents.


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Is it better to raise kids with or without religion?

Research indicates that there is no significant difference in morals between children raised in religious or secular homes. The decline in religious families in the US is expected to persist, as young adults’ relationship with religion fluctuates. Millennials are not returning to religion even as they pass significant family milestones. Dr. Bartkowski, a psychologist, believes that the trend is not concerning, as other social groups and new forms of connection, possibly emerging through social media, may fill the growing religious void if it remains. The future holds little evidence of millennials returning to religion even as they pass significant family milestones.

What to do if your parents don’t accept your religion?

Avoid trying to convert your parents to your beliefs and resist the urge to proselytize. If they have objections, don’t contest them. Honor your parents and yourself by actively listening and acknowledging their concerns. Let them know that the relationship is important and that you are still their daughter or son. If they are upset, don’t panic and give it time. When dealing with your parents, consider whether your reactions reflect who you truly are and whether they are the best expression of who you truly are.

Should religion be taught to children?

Religion education in elementary and middle school classrooms in America is acceptable as it promotes inclusive learning about religious diversity, builds empathy, and inspires compassion. The National Council for the Social Studies states that religion study should be taught from an academic, non-devotional perspective, encompassing its role in history and society, and is essential at elementary, middle, and high school levels to lessen prejudice and promote effective citizenship in an interconnected and diverse nation and world. This approach differs from encouraging students to engage in prayer, which may occur with family, faith-based schools, or places of worship.

Do parents have to agree on everything?
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Do parents have to agree on everything?

Parents often struggle with differing parenting styles, which can lead to compromise. This often involves testing one parent’s idea first, and if it doesn’t work for the child, then testing another. In a good marriage or divorce, having different parenting styles isn’t a bad thing. However, most couples will have disagreements on how to approach parenting. It’s important to present a united front and disagree behind closed doors.

This becomes especially challenging when parents develop extreme differences in their parenting approaches, especially when the child is struggling with a psychiatric diagnosis or learning disability. The parents’ ability to reach an agreement can be crucial in determining successful treatment or allowing the child to interpret the confusing signals they receive from their parents.

Does religiosity lead to more children?
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Does religiosity lead to more children?

The 2002 National Survey on Family Growth (NSFG) reveals that intentions play a significant role in religious fertility differences within the United States. The study shows that women aged 18-24 who consider religion very important have higher intended fertility than other women, and older women with higher intentions also have higher numbers of children born. Among women aged 40-44, those who consider religion very important have 0.

4 children more children than those who consider it only somewhat important and 0. 8 children more than those who are not religious. This suggests that intentions are the driving force behind religious fertility differences in the United States.

Should parents be allowed to force religion?
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Should parents be allowed to force religion?

Growing up in a Catholic home, the author and their siblings attended church every Sunday, attending weekly religion classes for their first Communion and confirmation. Despite their parents’ intentions to teach them about their faith, they are not religious today. Forced children to join a religion can be confusing and distressing, as it can strip individual agency and lead to resentment.

Some argue that Scriptures command parents to teach their children about their faith, but being forced into a religion can be different. Exposure to religion can increase cultural competence, but being forced into one religion can lead to alienation and resentment. A study at Florida International University found that 30% of students felt forced to follow their household’s religion, which implies following a set of rules and adopting a strict sense of morality.

Children should never feel like they have to submit to a way of believing they do not agree with or fear to tell their parents if they find themselves aligning with a different religion. Forcing a religion on children can cause a divide between the child and their parent and make them resent religion in general. Parents should create an environment where beliefs other than their own are acceptable and encourage children to feel comfortable practicing a different religion or no religion at all, if that is what they believe. This can be achieved by exposing children to multiple religions and showing support for whichever religion they feel connected with.

In conclusion, children should not be forced into a religion simply because it is their parents’ faith. By exposing children to various religions and showing support for their beliefs, parents can create a more inclusive and accepting environment for their children.

How do religious beliefs affect children?
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How do religious beliefs affect children?

Research indicates that parenting styles that are emotionally responsive, involved in children’s activities, and democratic have a positive relationship with firm parental religious beliefs. However, religious beliefs can sometimes lead to regressive behavior and damage family relationships, such as authoritarian parenting. These beliefs can harm children’s growth and development if they become a source of conflict in a family.

Religious belief positively affects parenting style, but it also negatively affects digital literacy. Religion is an institution that holds traditional moral values as beliefs, while digital literacy is an invention of modern society that introduces secular or non-traditional cultures that are contrary to religious beliefs. Activities in religious belief have a negative relationship with digital competence, which includes the use of devices to retrieve, assess, store, produce, present, exchange information, communicate, and participate in collaborative networks via the Internet.

Digital literacy encompasses mastery in the use of technology and information literacy skills from digital media to conceptual frameworks related to understanding, norms, and usage practices. High levels of human education and liberal theology tend to promote tolerance, while stronger religious beliefs can lead to negative attitudes toward change, especially in the field of science. Therefore, the hypothesis is presented as follows.

Should parents allow their children to choose their own religion?
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Should parents allow their children to choose their own religion?

CRIN advocates for children to have the freedom to choose their own beliefs and not be compelled to attend religious schools or religious education classes. They believe that children should be able to choose to follow or leave their religion as they choose, and schools should promote respect for people of all faiths, encourage inter-faith understanding, and work with students to challenge divisive, violent, and fundamentalist versions of religions.

Access to justice is also crucial for children who are forced to follow a religion they don’t adhere to or stopped from one they do, with a range of avenues to challenge such violations at the national, regional, and international levels.

Is religion good or bad for kids?

Research suggests that religious faith can contribute to emotional well-being, but there is no evidence linking children’s religious beliefs to mental health or emotional well-being. Parents’ religious activities can protect children from harmful behaviors, such as sexual activity, substance abuse, and delinquency. Despite extensive research, there is limited knowledge about the long-term impact of religious beliefs and behaviors, or the impact of religiosity involving religions other than Christianity. The report concludes that more research is needed to understand the long-term effects of religious beliefs and behaviors on children’s well-being.

When parents don’t agree on religion?

When divorcing parents cannot agree on the religion to teach their children, courts must intervene to determine the best interests of the child, including their safety, health, and welfare. Courts and men’s child custody attorneys in Montgomery County will assess the child’s well-being and consider factors like their past interactions with each parent’s religion. If a child has been a member of a particular religious congregation for a long time, it may be in their best interest to continue participating in that religion, providing stability and support during their parents’ separation and divorce.

Do children follow their parents religion?
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Do children follow their parents religion?

Research indicates that parents significantly influence their children’s religious behaviors, with about half of parents surveyed saying their teen holds “all the same” religious beliefs as they do. However, about half of teens ages 13 to 17 say their parent has all the same religious beliefs as they do. Interestingly, 76 of teens whose responding parent says they have all the same religious beliefs agree with this. However, a third of teens who say they have at least some different religious beliefs from their parent report that their parent does not know their beliefs are different.

Only 9 of teens report that having different religious beliefs causes conflict in their family. Common responses from teens when they say their religious beliefs are different from their parents’ include questioning some beliefs, not liking worship services as much as their parents want, being less strict or conservative, and not believing in God or religion. Only 8 of teens whose religious beliefs differ from their parents report being more religious than their parent.


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Can Physicians Override Parents' Wishes For Their Children Based On Religious Beliefs?
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Rae Fairbanks Mosher

I’m a mother, teacher, and writer who has found immense joy in the journey of motherhood. Through my blog, I share my experiences, lessons, and reflections on balancing life as a parent and a professional. My passion for teaching extends beyond the classroom as I write about the challenges and blessings of raising children. Join me as I explore the beautiful chaos of motherhood and share insights that inspire and uplift.

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4 comments

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  • I don’t know how this happens but you exactly address that particular question I have going on in that week. I was so stressed about my parents putting pressure on my marriage, exactly within 2 days I watched your article of what parents can and cannot expect from their kids and past 2 days I am thinking whether I really want to have kids for my parents or some FOMO in future which I am not even sure of, and I see this article posted. I can’t explain how happy I feel when I find your article on exactly what I am looking for. Thank you for making such wonderful articles closer to real life concerns and issues.

  • Thanku so much i am married ..itz bn 2 years now .but we are not decided to hav child..hav thoughts about it…but sometimes I feel I want kids… because i want to experience that phase and enjoy it and also i am curious about how my own child will look like..but sometimes i think,am i ready to spent my time and energy for another tiny human ..?.becz i knew the importance of parenting thru my own life…. After hearing this i think I want kids 🥰 if you can Plz do a vdo on child adoption too..

  • Highly unbalanced article. Brushes the costs faced by women under the carpet after a cursory mention. The costs to women are not just for 10-12 years, there can be life changing physical, social, financial and psychological implications. Moreover, environmental costs were not even discussed. Disappointed with the analysis and verdict.

  • I don’t agree with you regarding the overpopulation point. Please look at the competition for college admissions. Also the world is changing and with global warming, increasing crimes, what world are you bringing your child in is a very important factor to be considered. In my opinion, you don’t need a child to make you feel like you are on the Moon. You can do it yourself or feel so with your partner

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