To the Editor:
In responding to Mr. Nardacci’s salvo [“School staff are not a higher authority than a child’s parents,” The Altamont Enterprise, Sept. 21, 2022] I would first like to say that, yes, my letter was a tad vitriolic, and I apologize for that.

But it certainly was not hysterical (unless he means humorous, of course). It’s not clear why he thinks it was shallow of me to sign my name to the letter — it’s a requirement of the newspaper.

But as to the subject of privacy — sorry, sir, but acknowledging that ordinary people gossip is not a reason to abandon privacy laws. Should doctors and hospitals give out your health information because, well, you know, everyone’s going to find out anyway! I think not.

It seems to me that Mr. Nardacci is confused about the difference between the right to privacy and parental authority.

To again use the example of health care, according to the American Medical Association code of medical ethics, “physicians who treat minors have an ethical duty to promote the developing autonomy of minor patients” and the “responsibility to protect the confidentiality of minor patients.” Teenagers are afforded privacy in their doctor’s offices without anyone suggesting that the doctor has assumed parental authority.

Within the context of a student who has gender dysphoria, it is not the school’s responsibility to do anything other than respect the autonomy of the student. One has the impression that Mr. Nardacci’s concern is that the school should instantly report information to the parents so they can “exercise their authority” and beat all such notions out of their child. Precisely the reason students are afforded privacy in the first place.

Laurie Searl

Berne