Autonomy of the child in South Africa: when is a child sufficiently mature to consent to medical treatment?

Expiry Date
: 01/07/2026
CPD Units
: 3.00 Points
Rating
: 2.9/4

Our research question may be posited as follows: given the newest developments in child law as regards the conception of the child and his or her participation in society, how may appeals to different moral theories (African communitarianism and Western liberalism) aid in finding better and alternative means of determining how and by whom decisions about medical treatment of the child should be made?

Keywords: Autonomy, Consent, Child, Person, Sufficient maturity

Reading material:

Educational Objectives

Educational Aim:
In this article the notion of capacity for responsibility to produce a pragmatic definition of sufficient maturity is drawn upon.

Educational Outcomes:
Upon completion of this module practitioners should have a clear understanding of:

  1. The difference between autonomy rights and general rights
  2. Different moral theories influencing consent Western liberalism vs. African communitarianism.
  3. Elements required for informed consent.

    Instructions for this Module

    • Read the supplied reading material and complete the quiz that follows;
    • You have three attempts to pass the quiz;
    • The pass grade is 70%;
    • You need to pass the quiz to claim your CPD certificate;
    • Please click on the CPD certificate link below to claim your CPD certificate and to update your CPD Manager.

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