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Age of consent

prayerhelps's picture

Submitted by prayerhelps on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 3:26pm

Anybody know laws anywhere on whether a 16YO can/cannot make decisions in regard to medicine/medical help, etc...

Case---BM thinks SD16.5 should be taken to get the Swine Flu shot/Flu shot. Our family has never gotten those shots, and have never had any problems--no other health concerns. DH asked SD if she would like to go get one, she said "no way, I ain't getting no shot." Yet BM thinks DH should force her to?????

Comments

Pantera's picture

Submitted by Pantera on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 3:38pm

Im not sure, but I don't think children can make decisions like that unless they are 18 or the child is emancipated (I think thats the word).

"If I turn into another, Dig me up from under what is covering the better part of me" -Incubus

Sara_Smile22's picture

Submitted by Sara_Smile22 on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 3:54pm

I don't believe the child can give consent. I think she could be forced to by a parent, but as a nurse I'd have a tough time doing it if the child was fighting me. I'm not sure that just not wanting a shot is a valid reason not to though...I got a seasonal flu shot this year and I sure as heck didn't 'want to' per se (makes you feel really crummy for a couple days)...just knew it was probably a precaution that would maybe pay off.

anabihibik's picture

Submitted by anabihibik on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 4:38pm

It depends on your state, but in a lot of states, a 16 year-old does have the ability to consent for certain things. I'll second sara's statement about just not wanting a shot as not being a great reason. Does she have respiratory issues already?

To every thing there is a season.

prayerhelps's picture

Submitted by prayerhelps on Sat, 12/19/2009 - 10:55am

No, no other med issues. DD had sole custoy until July, now have shared, but DH is PCP. Like I said, we have never gotten any of the flu shots, and don't think it is a necessity, but BM thinks she should have it. DH told her to go ahead and take her if she wants to, but SD told DH she didn't want to get it---since we don't get it with all of us (7, including SD) we so no reason to make SD get it this year unless she wants to get it.
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Now, if anyway in our family had respiratory problems, or HIV or something, I would get all of us to get for their protection, but we are all healthy as can be

stepmom2one's picture

Submitted by stepmom2one on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 6:19pm

Only an adult can. If BM has 50% legal custody she can take the child herself. Otherwise it is up to DH.