I appreciate Alan's argument, and I agree that when it comes to
medical decisions, parents are given considerable latitude. The question,
though, is to what extent does that - and should that - extend to decisions
that are not made for medical reasons, and that risk significant
Alan: But our legal system also bars parents from physically
acting towards their children in various other ways. Parents may not beat
their children beyond a certain point. Parents may not excise their girls'
genitalia. Parents may not consent to their children's having sex
Fair question, Eugene. I recognize that the state does intervene to protect
children from some parental decisions that cause them physical or psychological
harm or risk causing them physical or psychological harm. But I think the list
of harm causing or potentially harm causing decisions which
