This article is about the medical neglect of children on the basis of religion across various states across the country. The article shows the effects that such practices have had on children and the society at large by identifying vices such as domestic violence, dangerous diets, slavery, sexual exploitation, and medical neglect among others. The article elaborates the importance of case law that does not allow parents to abuse their children based on religious grounds. The article tries to open the dark aspects of rationalization of religious beliefs which will end up creating anarchy and limitation of children’s healthcare.
However, due to manipulation and lobbying, some Christian churches across the country have found ways in the law that allows for continuation of such practices. The article uses a few examples of children who have died in the process as a result of religious practices in the state of Idaho. It also shows the expenses such practices have cost schools and states using an example of $170,000 lost in Oregon due to 2 cases of measles outbreak. The article appears to put a blame on the officials of states such as Idaho who fail to take action against such practices that deny children healthcare.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The article calls for abolition of religious loopholes in child protection laws in states across the country. The fact that parents in Idaho let their children die of diseases that could have been prevented drives the main theme of this article. The variation of child protection laws across United States is one of the main concerns of the article and condemns the death of children because of such beliefs which are outrageously ambiguous and lack any basis. Religious objection of medical care to children has posed a great challenge to public health officials and has led to the problems in tracking down deadly diseases such as measles.
The article targets state officials and legislators to find ways of amending such religious laws that deny children their basic right of Immunization, health screening, medical care, and metabolic tests among others. Some of the outrageous laws that have been developed totally rely on prayer for healing and are extremely dangerous for children. It also targets parents who are lost in that kind of belief and terms it as ‘deadly’ to deprive children their rights on the basis of religion.
The article also targets hospitals and public health officials to raise their concerns about the issue to help in spreading of preventable diseases. The laws that have led to the death of about 214 people in Idaho since 2010 should be repealed and abolished to make sure that all children get medical care irrespective of their parents’ religious beliefs. The article is also a wakeup call for religious groups that regard medical care as not part of their practices to re-think and reverse the move.
In conclusion, the article champions for the medical rights of children and tries to give a few instances which religious practices have proven fatal. The author of the article, Rita Swan, calls for the restriction of religious beliefs stating that the country would plunge into anarchy if everyone was allowed to practise their religion as they wish. The article tries to expose public officials who have the capacity to help against such measures but are negligent and unscrupulous. It also urges the removal of exemptions from state legislations that allows for such practice and punishment of parents that do not adhere to the laws. Immunization and vaccination for all children should be made mandatory and not subject to anybody’s religious beliefs. Just like the parents’ freedom of religion, the children have the right to life and the constitution should be amended to abolish such laws that prevent it.
Reference
Swan, R. (2015, March 11). Child Abuse Under the Guise of Religion - NYTimes.com. Retrieved November 21, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/03/10/parents-beliefs-vs-their-childrens-health/child-abuse-under-the-guise-of-religion
