May 29 2009
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“ The child is a citizen of the State. While he “belongs” to his parents, he belongs also to his State. Their rights in him entail many duties. Likewise, the fact the child belongs to the State imposes upon the State many duties. Chief among them is the duty to protect his right to live and to grow up with a sound mind in a sound body … . When a religious doctrine espoused by the parents threatens to defeat or curtail such a right of their child, the State’s duty to step in and preserve the child’s right is immediately operative.
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Can Parents Refuse Treatment to Children Who Could Die? - Digital Journal: Your News Network (via robot-heart-politics) (via notemily)
As a parent I couldn’t agree more, I’d also add that society as a whole has a duty towards looking after the welfare of the young …. if for no other reason then it is they that will be paying the taxes to look after us in our dotage.
