Do you think these anti-vax parents are going too far?
Parents Who Think Vaccinations 'Anger God' Are Putting Kids in Danger
When it comes to hot-button parenting topics
like how long to breastfeed and whether TV is okay in moderation, I try
to avoid getting caught in the "I'm right/You're wrong" vortex of
righteous indignation. Meaning, I might be opinionated, but I try not to
be judgmental. At least not outwardly.
That said, the latest chapter in the To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate saga is disturbing enough to warrant, let's say, a formal expression of concern. (Which is not the same as a judgement. Not really.)
Look, it's dangerous enough to decide against vaccinating your child because of religious beliefs. But let's say another kid at school comes down with one of those communicable diseases your child didn't get immunized against. What if the principal temporarily banned your kid from school for her own protection?
Would you be grateful to that principal or would you ... sue the school?
If you were Fabian Mendoza-Vaca and Nicole Phillips of Queens, New York, apparently you would sue the school. That's right, they're asking a judge to nullify a law that would force their kids to stay out of school if classmates are carrying diseases such as measles, mumps, or chicken pox.
Explained Mendoza-Vaca:
It is my opinion that resorting to vaccinations demonstrates a lack of faith in God, which would anger God and therefore be sacrilegious ... We don't want anything being into our bodies at all. We'd rather rely on our natural immune system and our faith in God. This is about my children's rights.
Oh-kay. So not only are you NOT going to vaccinate your kids, you're also not going to let any person or institution take any measures to protect them?
To me, this takes the anti-vax argument too far. It's a huge, selfish step in the wrong direction: The direction of blatant irresponsibility.
I'm not religious now, but I was raised in a religious home. And my grandmother had a faith-related saying that seems to apply here, "God helps those who help themselves."
Here's hoping God helps the unvaccinated kids who can't yet help themselves, too.
Do you think these anti-vax parents are going too far?
You are one of the only non-vaxing parents I have seen with this view. It is refreshing to know that you are out there. :-)
Quoting katy_kay08:
I don't vaccinate. I agreed to remove my kids if there is an "outbreak" of a covered illness. It would never cross my mind to sue. IMO, non vaccinating comes with certain responsibilities and this is one of them.
I would think that these parents would be ecstatic that the school considered their children's 'best interest' when there was an outbreak. Sue? No.
These people obviously aren't thinking about the rights of the other children within the school. I think the school would absolutely be in the right to keep unvaccinated children away while a disease such as measles, mumps, etc, was present within the school. Not only does it protect that unvaccinated child, but other children as well. It helps to prevent an outbreak from spreading further into the community. It isn't just about one child. It's about the entire community as a whole. If you send your child to school unvaccinated, than you have to understand the school will have to do what it has to in order to protect the majority of students and staff. Suing would be a stupid and irresponsible thing to do.
Also, most of those diseases are not deadly when treated properly and the parents WANT their children exposed so they build natural immunity. The reasons are valid so I do think it is judgmental to say that they aren't only not protecting their kids but also purposely putting them in harm's way. It shows a lack of knowledge of both sides of the argument.
Quoting romalove:They have the right to take a religious exemption from vaccination.
The school has the right to say what the rules are for attending school.
If your religion conflicts with the school rules, it is up to you to send your child someplace that doesn't conflict.
Quoting MomofNikki2010:
I agree with this but would add that many non vaxing parents don't choose not to vax because of religious reasons. They sign religious waivers because that is the only way around the rules. But i agree that if the school puts other rules in place, such as this one, they need to follow them.
Also, most of those diseases are not deadly when treated properly and the parents WANT their children exposed so they build natural immunity. The reasons are valid so I do think it is judgmental to say that they aren't only not protecting their kids but also purposely putting them in harm's way. It shows a lack of knowledge of both sides of the argument.
Quoting romalove:
They have the right to take a religious exemption from vaccination.
The school has the right to say what the rules are for attending school.
If your religion conflicts with the school rules, it is up to you to send your child someplace that doesn't conflict.
I'm aware that there are parents who don't vax because of other reasons and lie to get the religious exemption. This was not what the OP asked about, though.
As far as I'm concerned, I don't care why someone else isn't vaccinating, and I don't care how they want them to acquire immunity. If the school has rules and you don't want to go by the rules, go to school somewhere else.
Schools ban kids for all kinds of health related reasons, including lice, strep throat, flu, etc. If they think your non-vaxed child can get sick because of someone else coming down with something you didn't vax for, and they decide to ban you for a time, that's their right.
Eight Year Old Girl Given "Catastrophe Award" By Teacher
- Cafe Steph
on Feb. 14, 2012 at 11:31 AM