One of the most valued rights in American society is the right to control one's own body, especially when it comes to medical decision making. However, the
rights surrounding consent are not absolute and can be affected by factors such as age, competence, and emergency situations. Anyone working in healthcare
must be knowledgeable about the ethical and applicable legal principles of consent.
Discuss situations in which minors may be legally permitted to consent to their own medical treatment. In your opinion, should they be permitted to make their
own treatment decisions in these cases? Are there any situations in which minors cannot make their own treatment decisions and you feel they should?