Autonomy and Consent of Minors
Written by Lindsay Worley
You are a medical ethicist on staff at UNC hospitals. A family pediatrician on another floor calls you for advice about one of her patient cases. The pediatrician has been seeing her 13 year-old patient, Campbell, for several years for regular check-ups, shots, and routine care.
Campbell has disclosed to this pediatrician that they identify as gender non-binary and use they/them/their pronouns. Furthermore, Campbell is having a very hard time emotionally because their parents are not supportive of Campbell undergoing any gender affirming treatments. However, Campbell expresses to you that they strongly desire to receive gender-affirming treatment, and sees treatment as necessary for their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
In a case where both a minor and their parents/guardians are in agreement about pursuing gender-affirming treatment, the pediatrician would usually refer the family to a gender specialist at UNC for the youth to receive treatment. However, the parents are not in agreement in this case. The pediatrician has called you because she feels torn between supporting Campbell’s overall health and the parent’s right to make decisions about their child’s treatment.
Questions
What is it about being a minor that sometimes prevents a person from having their medical decisions honored?
What would the potential harm be to this youth if they were denied the treatment until they are of age to consent?
How do you weigh this harm against the parent’s right to make decisions about their children’s treatment?
