Overriding Adolescent Refusals of Treatment

Adolescents are routinely treated differently to adults, even when they possess similar capacities. In this article, we explore the justification for one case of differential treatment adolescents. We attempt make philosophical sense concurrent consents doctrine in law: adolescents found have decision-making capacity power consent to—and thereby, all else being equal, permit—their own medical treatment, but lack always refuse and so render it impermissible. Other parties, that is, individuals who exercise parental responsibility or a court, retain authority on an adolescent’s behalf. four defences doctrine. reject two attempts defend asymmetry by reference transitional paternalism. then consider stage life justification. Finally, articulate based distinctiveness adolescent well-being.