Parents' Rights

Parents' Rights

Parents face constant challenges to raise their children in a manner that is consistent with their moral values and religious views.

As of late, government agencies have taken parental responsibilities upon themselves. Schools teach children about matters relating to sex without parental consent, government agencies hastily challenge parental rights, and children are screened for various mental and emotional health issues without parental knowledge.

The United States Supreme Court has ruled, however, that parents have a fundamental right to control the upbringing and education of their children. The Rutherford Institute is dedicated to defending this right. In fact, The Rutherford Institute responds to over a thousand requests for assistance annually from parents whose rights are placed in jeopardy.

Parents have a constitutional right to direct and control the upbringing of their children. Laws or governmental actions that unreasonably infringe upon the rights of parents to raise and educate their children according to their own values are constitutionally suspect and The Rutherford Institute is willing to fight against those laws and actions.

Please note: The Rutherford Institute does not have the resources to handle custody cases unless the cases involve religious discrimination against the parents or their children.

Our Recent Work in Parents' Rights
FREEDOM RESOURCE BRIEF: Parents’ Rights to Protect Their Children from TSA Patdowns

Rutherford Institute Warns California Legislature Against Adopting Mandatory Vaccine Law, Urges Accommodation of Religious Beliefs

VICTORY: Florida Officials Drop Prosecution of Mom Arrested, Handcuffed, Searched & Jailed for Allowing Her 7-Year-Old Son to Visit Playground Alone

Rutherford Institute Defends Florida Mom Arrested, Handcuffed, Searched & Jailed for Allowing Her 7-Year-Old Son to Visit Playground Alone

U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Hear W.V. Immunization Case, Lets Stand Lower Court Ruling Denying Parent a Religious Exemption for Vaccine

Victory: Indiana School Agrees to Cease Subjecting Students to Intrusive Mental Health Surveys Without Written Parental Consent

Rutherford Institute Warns Against California Legislation Allowing Minors to Receive STD Treatments Without Parental Consent

Parents’ Rights Violation: Indiana Students Subjected to Intrusive Mental Health Surveys Without Written Parental Consent

Commentary on Parents' Rights Issues
Handcuffs, Leg Shackles and Tasers: The New Face of Punishment in the Public Schools

The Tyranny of the Nanny State, Where the Government Knows What’s Best for You

Move Over, Traffic Court, It’s Time for a New Money-Making Scheme—School Truancy Laws Jail Parents and Levy Excessive Fines

Do Parents' Rights End at the Schoolhouse Gate?

Alford v. Greene: A Case with Far-Reaching Implications for Parents' Rights

"Parents have become so convinced that educators know what is best for their children that they forget that they themselves are really the experts." — Marian Wright Edelman