Parental Opposition Research Articles

Implementing a School-Entry Mandate for the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: Benefits and Challenges.

Human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection, has prompted the development of vaccines to mitigate associated cancer risks, particularly cervical cancer. Regions that have achieved a high rate of vaccination coverage are witnessing a transformative impact on public health, with a notable reduction of up to 30% in the incidence of cervical cancer cases. Emphasizing the broader impact of vaccination on public health, this review investigates the role of a school-entry mandate for the HPV vaccine, aiming to inform decisions about its potential benefits and challenges. With a focus on understanding the significance of vaccination, the review delves into its potential to reduce the physical, emotional, and financial burdens associated with HPV-associated cancers. Implementing school-entry mandates for the HPV vaccine offers benefits such as increased vaccination rates, protection against HPV-related diseases, and long-term health advantages. However, challenges include ethical concerns, parental opposition, and logistical issues. Successful implementation requires clear communication, collaboration, and education, with legal and ethical considerations addressing constitutional rights, liability concerns, autonomy, and equitable access. In summary, the implementation of school-entry mandates for the HPV vaccine offers the potential for increased vaccination rates and the reduction of health disparities. However, this approach is challenged by factors such as opposition, associated costs, and legal and ethical considerations. The decision to mandate the HPV vaccine requires a delicate balance between public health priorities and individual rights, necessitating clear communication, education, and collaborative efforts to address the complexities involved.

‘We fear the repercussions from parents’: primary school parents and teachers’ perspectives on the inclusion of LGBTQ+ issues in the English primary school curriculum

ABSTRACT This paper reports on findings from a survey conducted within a larger collaborative project, working with primary school teachers and parents to normalise conversations about LGBTQ+ issues in four English primary schools. Survey data from 96 teachers and parents highlight different perspectives on the inclusion of LGBTQ+ issues. Existing research shows teachers are often reluctant to address such issues, signalling various concerns, including fear of a negative parental reaction. Using quantitative analysis of Likert items combined with a qualitative analysis of open-ended comments, the study shows differences in perceptions between teachers and parents, and among participating parents. The findings show teachers are willing to address LGBTQ+ issues within the primary school curriculum with support from the majority of parents. Parental opposition to teaching about LGBTQ+ issues appears to be associated with some parents’ religious views and limited engagement with members of the LGBTQ+ community. Parents’ concerns largely focused on notions of childhood innocence and perceptions of age-appropriateness for teaching about/engagement with LGBTQ+ issues.

Sexually explicit media literacy education: a scoping review of parental perspectives and relevant resources

ABSTRACT Viewing sexually explicit media (SEM) can influence young people’s sexual attitudes and behaviours. Media literacy education can help young people navigate this, yet parental opposition is sometimes cited as a barrier to the implementation of comprehensive school programmes. A scoping review explored parent perspectives towards and comfort with SEM literacy education, parent-focused resources, and the level of parental engagement in resource development. An expansive view of SEM included pornography alongside sexually explicit content in movies, television shows, video games, or other online spaces. Collectively, a focused search of five academic databases, an online search for grey literature and resources from non-governmental and government organisations, and interviews (n = 7) with key stakeholders were undertaken. Screening reduced 4,745 peer-reviewed records to seven. The online search located 35 resources from 28 organisations. While parents support SEM literacy education for their children, other sexuality education topics (e.g. contraception and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections) were more widely endorsed. Parental comfort in providing such education was variable. Online resources vary in type and content, with limited information available about development processes or evaluation. Further research and co-design are needed to ascertain parent needs to support their children’s SEM literacy knowledge and understanding.

Implementing The Project To Strengthen The Profile Of Pancasila Students On The Theme Of Wisdom Class lll At SD Plus Al Anwar Islamic Boarding School Pacul Gowang

Since the new teachings of 2022–2023, the Al Anwar Pacul Gowang Islamic Boarding School Plus Elementary School has used the Independent Curriculum. establishing the Pancasila Student Profile as the cornerstone for cultivating pancasila-compatible character values. Its implementation is done through extracurricular and curricular (project-based) activities. The following are the 6 dimensions of Pancasila student profiles:: 1) Faith, Fear of God Almighty and noble character, 2) Global Diversity, 3) Mutual Cooperation, 4) Independent, 5) Critical Reasoning, 6) creative. The results of the study show that (1) The study's findings indicate that (1) Implementation of a project to enhance Pancasila students' profiles on the topic of class III local wisdom, in which the teacher creates materials and programs to be implemented over the course of one semester in order to ensure that the composition is well-designed, and that there are program benefits when students complete projects that are provided. (2) The ability to foster a sense of healing toward cultural variety, create innovative works and acts, and conduct projects to raise the profile of Pancasila class III students are demonstrated through efforts to increase student creativity. Not only that, but personality, emotional character, intellectual, language, cognitive character, and moral development all proceed at a rapid rate alongside physical and motor development. (3) Implementing the project to develop Pancasila student profiles on the topic of local knowledge has run into a number of challenges, including the teacher council's lack of cooperation, a lack of resources and infrastructure, and parental opposition. Increased collaboration with teacher boards and full facilities are the answers to these problems.

Parental opposition to comprehensive sexuality education in Australia: associations with religiosity and school sector.

To empirically examine associations between parental opposition towards comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and religiosity. A nationally representative survey of Australian parents (N = 2,418) examined opposition towards 40 CSE topics, by parental religiosity and secular/religious school sector. Whilst opposition to most CSE topics correlated positively with religiosity, even amongst very religious parents, disapproval was minimal (2.8-31.2%; or 9.0-20.2% netted against non-religious parents). Parents with children enrolled in a Catholic school were less likely than secular-school parents to oppose CSE. Those with children at other-faith-schools were more likely to oppose CSE, but again disapproval was minimal (1.2-21.9%; or 1.3-9.4% netted against secular-school parents). Only small minorities of very religious parents and parents with children in religious schools opposed the teaching of various CSE topics. Decision-makers should therefore be cautious about assuming that CSE delivery is not widely supported by particular families.

The Importance of Mapping Determinants, Attitudes and Beliefs of Vaccine Hesitancy in the Great Challenge of Compulsory Childhood Vaccination Comment on "Convergence on Coercion: Functional and Political Pressures as Drivers of Global Childhood Vaccine Mandates".

Vaccine hesitancy (VH) has risen significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming a major global health concern. VH is characterized by the delay or refusal of vaccination despite its availability. Various frameworks have been developed to understand the complex factors influencing VH, with attitudes, beliefs, and external influences being the most significant. The surge in VH has reignited the debate on the best approach to address it: persuasive/ educational or coercive. Attwell and Hannah studied the political and social reasons behind the adoption of mandatory vaccination in four jurisdictions (Italy, France, Australia, and California) due to declining vaccine coverage below the safety threshold. However, these methods may foster parental disbeliefs and opposition to vaccination campaigns. To combat VH, it is crucial to systematically assess its determinants within specific contexts and population groups. Increasing awareness about vaccination benefits, engaging with social media, and employing tailored strategies can foster spontaneous adherence to vaccination programs, eliminating the need for coercive measures.

‘Does God Mind?’: Reshaping Chinese Christian Rites of Passage, c.1877–1940

Chinese Anglicans and missionaries wrestled with the relationship between Christian rituals and culture. Missionaries entered China with preconceived notions about rites of passage, but quickly realized the difficulties of implementation. For example, with the backdrop of Western imperialism, clergy reported ‘unworthy adherents’ misusing their certificates of admission to churches only to gain extraterritorial legal privileges. Another question was how far traditional Chinese wedding customs could be integrated into Christian marriage. Students at Anglican schools wondered whether God would ‘mind’ if they believed Jesus in their hearts, but did not receive baptism because of parental opposition, because, to them, both faith and filial piety mattered. The complexity of the Chinese social and cultural context made it impossible to prescribe set formats for rites of passage. Instead, clergy and Chinese Anglicans reshaped rites of passage by referring to loosely formulated guidelines, using case-by-case discretion, and adjusting to their surroundings.

Anti-science conspiracies pose new threats to US biomedicine in 2023.

Anti-science conspiracies pose new threats to US biomedicine in 2023.

Factors Influencing the Decision to Vaccinate against HPV amongst a Population of Female Health Students.

Background: In Switzerland, HPV vaccination has been recommended since 2007 for all adolescent girls aged between 11 and 14 years. More than 10 years after the introduction of this recommendation, immunization coverage targets have not been met. Very few studies at a national level describe the reasons for the reluctance of some young women to become vaccinated. The aim of this study is to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of a population of vaccinated and unvaccinated female health students and then to compare the different factors that may have influenced their vaccine choice. Method: Female health students in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, aged between 18 and 31, were invited to participate in the study. A total of 234 female students completed a questionnaire that included questions about their socio-demographic data, sexual behavior and vaccination status. Results: 69% of the participants received at least one dose of the vaccine. Women who had not yet had sex were less likely to be vaccinated than sexually active women (ORa: 0.1, 0.0–0.4, 95% CI), the same as those who did not express an opinion about the importance of vaccination (ORa: 0.1: 0.0–0.6, 95% CI). The main reasons given for refusing vaccination were fear of side effects (26.0%), parental opposition (24.6%) and reluctance of the attending physician (13.6%). Conclusions: The main results of this study highlight a good rate of vaccine coverage in the sample population. Reasons for nonvaccination demonstrate the need to provide information on the vaccine to the target audience, as well as to parents and health professionals.

Culture-Specific Form of Stress Based on Sexual Orientation Among Childless Lesbian and Gay Individuals in China: Perceived Difficulties of Future Parenthood.

China's long historical and cultural traditions that overemphasize the continuity of the family bloodline have a profound impact on the desire to become parents. Indeed, many Chinese lesbian and gay (LG) individuals want to become parents, despite same-sex parenting being illegal in mainland China. Faced with a conflict between their sexual orientation and desire for parenthood, childless LG individuals in China experience additional stress. However, no empirical study has examined such stress, which has been termed perceived difficulties of future parenthood. The present study aimed to explore the influence of perceived difficulties of future parenthood on mental health and the moderating effect of parenting desire on the relationship between them among 737 childless Chinese LG individuals (216 lesbian women and 521 gay men). A new measure was developed consisting of four dimensions: restricted pathways, social discrimination, uncertain affective ties, and parental opposition. As predicted, perceived difficulties of future parenthood were associated with poorer mental health in the sample. However, the interaction effects between parenting desire and perceived difficulties of future parenthood on mental health were not significant. These findings highlight common existing perceived difficulties about future parenthood in childless LG individuals in China and their negative effects on mental health.

Riding to Learn, Learning to Ride: Early School-busing in Connecticut, 1900–1945

Riding to Learn, Learning to Ride: Early School-busing in Connecticut, 1900–1945

Parental protective and risk factors regarding cannabis use in adolescence: A national sample from the Chilean school population

ABSTRACT Background: Research has increased our understanding of the parental factors associated with the initiation and development of cannabis use disorder in adolescents, but few studies about this have been performed in middle- or low-income countries. Objective: First, to examine whether perceived past parental drug use, parental monitoring, and attitude toward adolescent cannabis use are associated with general and problematic cannabis use in Chilean adolescents. Second, to explore whether perceived past parental drug use weakens the associations of protective factors with general and problematic adolescent cannabis use. Methods: Regression analyses were performed on cross-sectional data from a multistage probabilistic sample stratified by clusters (municipalities, school and grade) of 43,060 students (47% male, mean age 15.5 years) from grades 8 to 12, which was collected from the Chilean National School Survey on Drug Use (2013). Results: Perceived past parental drug use increased the likelihood of adolescent cannabis use in general, but not its problematic use. Parental monitoring of adolescents’ whereabouts and parental opposition to adolescent cannabis use decreased the likelihood of adolescent cannabis use in general, as well as problematic use. Perceived past parental drug use only interacted with parental monitoring of school activities. Conclusions: In line with research from the United States, the Netherlands and Spain, parental monitoring of adolescents’ whereabouts and a strong parental opposition to cannabis use appear to be protective factors, irrespective of past parental use. However, the effectiveness of monitoring adolescents’ school activities seems to decrease when parents are perceived as having used drugs in the past.

Overcoming barriers to adolescent vaccination: perspectives from vaccine providers in North Carolina

ABSTRACT To capture strategies for achieving high adolescent coverage of tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap), meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY), and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, we surveyed employees of 20 North Carolina (N.C.) clinics that achieved adolescent vaccination coverage higher than the state average. One employee per clinic completed a surveysummarizing clinic practices regarding adolescent vaccination; perceived barriers and facilitators to Tdap/MenACWY/HPV vaccination; and the role of “champions” who made special efforts to promote adolescent vaccination. Common perceived barriers for all vaccinations were parental opposition and logistical barriers to receiving vaccination. For HPV vaccination, employees cited parental concerns about sexual behavior and injection site pain; no school vaccination requirement; and low-perceived benefit in boys. Most clinics (80%) implemented successful changes to increase adolescent vaccination: consistently offering vaccination, tracking vaccination status using existing data, providing appointment reminders, updating providers on vaccination recommendations, and expanding vaccination hours. Strategies to improve HPV vaccination included co-administration with Tdap and MenACWY, and providing reminders to complete the vaccination series. Vaccine champions strongly recommended vaccination to parents (55%) and educated parents on vaccination recommendations (36%). Clinics in N.C.and similar settings can implement these and other low-resource strategies to overcome adolescent vaccination barriers. Abbreviations CDC=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; EHR=Electronic health record; HPV=Human papillomavirus; Tdap=Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine; MenACWY=Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine; NCIB=North Carolina Immunization Branch; NCIR=North Carolina Immunization Registry; ACIP=Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

Documenting and Understanding Parent's Intervention Choices for Their Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Understanding why parents choose some interventions but not others for their child with autism is important for a number of reasons. Estimating the proportion of evidence-based interventions engaged, identifying the agencies influencing parental decisions, and elucidating the barriers or reasons leading to intervention rejection or discontinuation can result in better service provision. New Zealand parents (n = 570) of a child with autism reported what interventions were being engaged, and why some interventions were engaged but not others. Funding was a major determinant of intervention engagement, while medical professionals exerted the most influence. Sources of support were not related to intervention engagement, but parental perceptions of their child's symptom severity were. Finally, non-engagement does not necessarily reflect parental opposition to an intervention, but rather the existence of barriers.

Sustaining Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs in Schools: Needs and Barriers Identified by School Leaders.

To reduce teen pregnancy rates, prevention programs must be consistently available to large numbers of youth. However, prevention efforts have been historically conducted with little emphasis on ensuring program sustainability. This study examined the needs and barriers to sustaining teen pregnancy prevention (TPP) programming in schools after grant funding has ended, as identified by school leadership. A total of 11 qualitative interviews were conducted between June and September 2012 with middle school leaders from 11 schools involved in current implementation of a TPP program in South Carolina. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically coded. Identified needs and barriers to sustainability varied across schools. Common barriers to program sustainability included: lack of materials and supplies, insufficient funding (at the school and district level), lack of support and/or parental opposition, and other school/district priorities. School leaders also identified several needs to continue TPP programming, including: continued funding, trainings, outcome/effectiveness data to support the program, and regularly updated curriculum. Schools with greater perceived needs and barriers may be less likely to sustain. Knowledge gained through this research may be used to inform future interventions and sustainability planning efforts, allowing us to maximize prevention programming.

PARALLEL DILEMMAS: POLIO TRANSMISSION AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

ABSTRACTNigeria is one of three countries where polio continues to be endemic. In northern Nigeria, areas with low levels of polio immunization due to persistent parental opposition as well as implementation and infrastructural problems have contributed to wild poliovirus transmission. Furthermore, political violence associated with Islamic groups opposed to the federal government has also hampered the conclusion of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) efforts. This violence, which began in Borno State and has spread to other parts of northern Nigeria, occurs precisely where poliovirus transmission continues. These two related aspects – parallel dilemmas of low immunization and political violence – confound the conclusion of GPEI efforts in Nigeria. This situation also raises ethical questions both about the final stages of eradication efforts and about military actions to contain ongoing violence. The Nigerian government's attempts to suppress opposition to the polio eradication campaign by threatening non-compliant parents with arrest and by closing down media outlets may frighten some parents into compliance but can also breed resentment and resistance, just as military and police activities, such as house-to-house sweeps and widespread arrests, may encourage sympathy for Islamic insurgents. This situation suggests that the possible solution of one problem – the ending of wild poliovirus transmission – depends upon a solution of the other, i.e. the cessation of violent anti-government activities.

Defense Minister Pinhas Lavon and the Arab Draft That Never Was

This article explores an aspect of Pinhas Lavon’s brief tenure as defense minister (1953–1955) that has received very little scholarly attention; namely, Lavon’s order for Israel’s Arab citizens to register for military service beginning in July of 1954. As will be shown, while in theory Lavon strongly supported Arab inclusion in the IDF in order to equalize rights and obligations for all citizens of the state, he only tentatively supported his own draft plan, and by the time he initiated the plan he lacked the political and military support to carry it out. A concurrent argument will be made that Arab youth were enthusiastic enough about the draft plan that it could have been effectuated in spite of Arab parental opposition. Finally, it will be argued that while Arab military service could have positively improved the status of Arabs within Israel, it is just as likely that a successful Arab draft could have undermined the Zionist foundations of the Jewish state.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Experience in Iranian Patients

Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive disorder stemming from one of the enzymatic defects in the biosynthesis of cortisol from cholesterol. In the majority of instances the disorder comprises deficiency of 21-hydroxylase (21-OHD). This defect causes excessive androgen production from adrenal source, which leads to virilization with varying degrees of severity (Prader grade 1-5) in female fetuses. Objectives: To determine the frequency of different types of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, rate of consanguinity, family occurrence, birth weight, and final height and weight. Patients and Methods: Medical records of patients with CAH between 1968 and 2011 were reviewed. Results: Out of 617 patients, 79.6% had 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD). In 21-OHD group 94.5% had classical type and 5.5% were non-classic. Among the classic type 78% had salt-wasting form (SW) and 22% simple virilizing (SV). Both 21-OHD-SV and SW were diagnosed more frequently in females. Frequency of other types were as follow: 11-hydroxylase deficiency (11-OHD), 13.3%; 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency (3 OHD), 4.1%; lipoid adrenal hyperplasia, 1.1%; 17-hydroxylase deficiency, 1%; hypoaldostronism, 0.6% and Antley-Bixler, 0.3%. Parental consanguinity was present in 62.6% and familial occurrence was reported in 42.6% of the patients. Sixteen girls had grade 5 virilization of Prader staging (SW, 10; SV, 2; 11-OHD, 4). The most prevalent Prader stage was 4 in 21-OHD-SW and 11-OHD. In 21-OHD-SV, 9 patients had Prader grade 4 and 5 virilization. The difference between mid-parental height and final height was highest in 21-OHD-SV; its SDS was (-1.2 1.1). Birth weight of all patients was normal except for 5 patients. The frequency of low and very low birth weight was not significantly different from the general population. All patients were assigned as their genetic gender except for 5 patients with delayed diagnosis or parental opposition. Conclusions: The prevalence of different types of CAH, grade of virilization, final weight, height and birth weight, were recorded from the referral patients.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Experience in Iranian Patients

Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive disorder stemming from one of the enzymatic defects in the biosynthesis of cortisol from cholesterol. In the majority of instances the disorder comprises deficiency of 21-hydroxylase (21-OHD). This defect causes excessive androgen production from adrenal source, which leads to virilization with varying degrees of severity (Prader grade 1-5) in female fetuses. Objectives: To determine the frequency of different types of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, rate of consanguinity, family occurrence, birth weight, and final height and weight. Patients and Methods: Medical records of patients with CAH between 1968 and 2011 were reviewed. Results: Out of 617 patients, 79.6% had 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD). In 21-OHD group 94.5% had classical type and 5.5% were non-classic. Among the classic type 78% had salt-wasting form (SW) and 22% simple virilizing (SV). Both 21-OHD-SV and SW were diagnosed more frequently in females. Frequency of other types were as follow: 11-hydroxylase deficiency (11-OHD), 13.3%; 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency (3 OHD), 4.1%; lipoid adrenal hyperplasia, 1.1%; 17-hydroxylase deficiency, 1%; hypoaldostronism, 0.6% and Antley-Bixler, 0.3%. Parental consanguinity was present in 62.6% and familial occurrence was reported in 42.6% of the patients. Sixteen girls had grade 5 virilization of Prader staging (SW, 10; SV, 2; 11-OHD, 4). The most prevalent Prader stage was 4 in 21-OHD-SW and 11-OHD. In 21-OHD-SV, 9 patients had Prader grade 4 and 5 virilization. The difference between mid-parental height and final height was highest in 21-OHD-SV; its SDS was (-1.2 1.1). Birth weight of all patients was normal except for 5 patients. The frequency of low and very low birth weight was not significantly different from the general population. All patients were assigned as their genetic gender except for 5 patients with delayed diagnosis or parental opposition. Conclusions: The prevalence of different types of CAH, grade of virilization, final weight, height and birth weight, were recorded from the referral patients.

Student‐centred pedagogy in Turkey: conceptualisations, interpretations and practices

The purpose of this article is to explore recent curricular reforms to advocate student‐centred pedagogy (SCP) in primary schools in Turkey. By using a case study approach, the article examines teacher views on SCP, classroom practices and perceived challenges in implementation process. The study highlights some of the unintended consequences of SCP in Turkey (such as parental over‐involvement in performance and research assignments) and discusses a number of issues that seemed to interfere with teachers’ efforts to implement SCP. In line with similar studies in other parts of the world, teachers in Turkey appeared to be concerned with poor teacher training, large classes, material scarcity, examination system, parental opposition and inadequate student responsiveness. The article suggests that instead of focusing on the ‘problematisation’ of implementation process and, in particular, teachers, efforts should be made to develop and apply more structured alternative approaches. While considering promising pedagogical approaches elsewhere, such efforts should also draw more inspiration from Turkish educationalists and scholars in order to develop a more culturally responsive pedagogy, which better suits the social, economic and political realities of Turkish society.