Children Or Family First: Navigating the Ethical Conflict of Child Protection vs. Parental Rights

Course overview

Recent policies in various states seem to assert conflicting perspectives on parents' and children's rights. A focus on the parent's right to determine public school policy through the "Don't Say Gay" law in Florida directly conflicts with the Texas policy that seeks to deny parents the right to support their children through the provision of trans-affirming care. At the root, these policies relate to the ethical conflict between protecting children and respecting parental rights. This session will explore the history and ethical application of parental, child and family rights schemas in an effort to help best prepare professionals to protect children when necessary, and respect family autonomy whenever possible.