Should she be forced to? … 052309

The Associated Press published a story of a 13 y/o boy who has been diagnosed with lymphoma a treatable form of cancer but his mom refuses to have him receive chemotherapy citing religious reasons.

The boy has had one treatment out of a series of six but did not go back for the rest as the mom chose to implement more natural means. According to the medical report on his recent visit, the tumor has continued to grow. The boy himself has said that he doesn’t want any treatment.

The state has stepped in and is taking custody of the boy so that he can be treated even against his or the mother’s will. The dad has agreed that the boy does need the treatment and is begging the mom to bring him for such. She is now on the run.

In light of this, where does one draw the line? Should the state have that right to treat this family namely the 13 y/o against his will? Does a family has a right to decide what they think is best for their children whether we agree with it or not?

This is a very tricky subject I think. If this boy as a minor, was being abused, then the state has a legal right to protect him, which may mean removal from the environment wherein this is being done.

Are there any similarities in this case? By the way, the boy does not read; he has been diagnosed with reading disability.

I wonder!

Should she (the mom) be forced to? Should her religious rights be over-ruled?

Would you? … 051909

According to the Associated Press, a father of a 12 y/o girl is pressing charges against her because of her taking his car without permission.  According to the dad, this is her second time doing this (as far as he knows).  This time she crashed into of all things, a police car.

Some would criticize the dad for what he is doing thinking that this will be too traumatic for his little 12 y/o girl.  Others would probably just not press charges because this is his daughter we are talking about; his flesh and blood.

Would you press charges?

This dad is looking at the big picture.  This is one of the most loving things he could do. He wants to nip-it-in-the-bud.  He would rather have to deal with this than to maybe one day be burying his daughter or having her doing something far more serious.

So many parents have been overlooked such behaviors in their children thinking it is only childish things that will go away, only to find out that the “childish thing” doesn’t go away.  It only got more sophisticated and bigger.

As painful as it is for him and her, it is pain that he would rather endure with the hopes of lessening the pain of the future.  This is tough love! What do you think?