Re: [SLUG] The 'nanny state' and freedom of choice
david <[email protected]>
Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:05:32 +1000
<example>
Some years ago in NSW, children of Jehovah's
Witnesses were denied blood transfusions by their
parents because of religious beliefs. The state
introduced legislation and stepped in to make such
children wards of the state if their lives were at
risk.
What right has the state to deny to a child
eternity in the presence of the Lord for the sake
of a few years of earthly life?
</example>
I'm afraid the first principle of the argument is
the problem.
Let's start with "What right does a parent have to
enforce something upon a child which does nothing
to benefit them emotionally, physically or
intellectually?"
The problem is the 'parents have rights' bit.
It is a 'responsibility'. This changes the focus
to: Do they have evidence of their claims. If not,
then their actions are suspect.
Mostly whoever is in charge tries to impose their
belief system and make it the current paradigm -
whether it's religious, commercial, political or
philosophical. I can't say I can see much logic
going on, unless it's a kind of stumbling,
long-term Darwinian logic.
The main argument in child protection is far from
a general "I don't like it" type of approach. It
is far more complex and backed by a significant
amount of evidence.
I'd agree there are issues of 'ethics' in their
and that some of it is historico-culturally
specific. The latter various from country to
country, with some enforcing actions on children
which have been shown to have no benefit once one
considers that it is merely there as a means of
controlling one group of people (FGM - female
genital mutilation is one example).
As for the rest of public policy, well there
generally tends to be an argument between those
with lots of experience and qualifications and
those without but with big mouths and media
empires...and the rest in between :))
Patrick
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