The state’s erosion of childhood makes me shiver
Last week a young relative of mine, who has just turned 12, had to have some teeth extracted under general anaesthetic as part her orthodontic treatment. At the pre-op she was made to undergo a pregnancy test. Hearing this left me reeling. That, I suppose to be fair, is because I know her and know how utterly inappropriate and disproportionate such a risk assessment was. I tried to be as dispassionate as I could about how intrusive this felt for her and her family. I found myself saying things like, “I suppose I have to accept that she’s no longer a little girl.” And then I reflected that this is exactly what she is. She likes to play with dolls still. She is innocent and lovingly protected.
