"CBI" <00doc@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:bf1oqe$70s$1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> "JG" <jg030103@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
> news:%MWQa.64$xe.123757@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > The AAP apparently believes *all* parents are idiots, and thus
> > recommends pediatricians treat them as such.
> I've seen no examples of this.
Read some of the AAP's "policy statements"
(http://www.aap.org/policy/pprgtoc.cfm);
those recommending that
pediatricians "advise" or "counsel" parents *never* state "when
appropriate" (or words to that effect), let alone "IF asked for
guidance." I guess the AAP doesn't believe pediatricians should (are
competent to?) discern which parents need what "advice."
> Do you get pissed off when you see an exit sign and you already knew
where
> the exits are?
Of course not. Exit signs provide information (e.g., an exit number
and/or a street/highway name); they don't advise/recommend (state) "get
off here (to get to XXX)." Using lawn mowers (still my favorite example
:-D), the exit sign is analagous to the piece of information, "lawn
mower blades are sharp." I can do with any piece of information what I
want, i.e., either ignore it or use it in some way. In the case of the
mower blades (and being a rational individual <g>), I'll think, "Okay;
I'll be careful when I am (or my child is) around lawn mower blades."
In the case of the exit sign, I'll also either ignore it or use it
(either to exit or to estimate how much farther it is to the exit I
want). Now, when a pediatrician says, "Be careful with sharp lawn mower
blades; Buffy and Biff could get hurt if they're nearby while you're
mowing," he/she is dispensing more than information (that mower blades
are sharp)--he/she is giving advice. If I wanted/needed advice about
how to be "careful with sharp lawn mower blades," I'd *ask* (likely the
lawn mower manufacturer; NOT a pediatician). Likewise, if I
wanted/needed advice about exits (e.g., which ones to take to get to my
destination), I'd ask (either someone at my destination, an "expert" in
the vicinity [e.g., a gas station attendant], or a service [e.g.,
Mapquest] that provides advice/directions); the exit sign itself is not
"advice," "guidance," or "counselling."
> Why do you think that some of those idiots don't own guns? Or do you
think
> that nothing should be said to them?
Say something to them IF they solicit your advice/opinion (though why
they'd ask a pediatrician, rather than someone who sells devices
[lockboxes, gun locks] intended to reduce accidental gun
injuries/deaths, or even the police, is beyond me). While your concern
for your patients' welfare is understandable, it's really NONE of your
business whether there are guns in their homes. Do you ask if they have
a bathtub and, if the answer is "yes," *automatically* (invariably)
proceed to advise them on drowning prevention?
You can't have it both ways. If you
> admit that there are some fools at them then there is nothing wrong
with
> issuing advice to them.
And just how, Chris, do you identify, with TOTAL accuracy, the "idiot
parents"? Do you give prospective patients' parents a quiz? (Now how
insulting would THAT be--how many prospective patients would you lose?
....Q1: Lawn mowers (A) have very sharp blades and my child could be
injured if I'm not extremely careful when he/she is around one; (B) make
a great substitute for my kid's go cart when it's not available or out
of gas; (C) what's a lawn mower?...)
Making assumptions about a parent's intelligence/level of "common sense"
is risky, but the answer is certainly not to treat *every* parent
condescendingly, as if he/she is an idiot in need of nannying.
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