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[quote=Anonymous]DH and I are both in the medical field (pediatrician and speech therapist) so we see a lot of parents who take very different approaches.  We’ve both found that very young moms tend to be the most likely to reject medical advice in favor of their own research.  Rather it be refusing vaccines, refusing to use or finish an antibiotic, refusing necessary treatment... it tends to come from white mothers who under 25.  Of course, there of very opinionated people of all ages but most of my more challenging parents are young white mothers (often single mothers, sometimes with a similar aged husband who I rarely see).  DH sees the same demographic.

DH had a case where a 3-year-old kept coming in with strep.  He kept prescribing antibiotics until he said they’d need to admit him because they just weren’t working.  The mother then casually mentioned she’d never given him the antibiotic because she didn’t want him to get resistant to it.  He’s had a handful of patients start the antibiotic and stop after two days, and then come in and the parents complain antibiotics don’t work because the child is ill again.

I’m often met with a lot of hostility from some young mothers.  I can think of three parents I have right now where everything I say is wrong because the internet says X, Y, Z.  Everything is a battle.  I’m constantly getting print outs from Natural News.

We have a friend who is a pediatric dentist who has similar issues.  An uprise in cavities because parents are using fluoride free toothpaste.  Teeth rotting out because they refuse treatment (no fillings because of the toxins in the fillings/novocaine).

And no, I’m not saying this is an issue with all young mothers.  We’ve all just found that our avant “researchers” fall into the 19-25 demographic.

DH thinks it’s a mix of lack of formal education with inflated ego.  I disagree.  I think the pressures of motherhood on a younger women can just become too much.  It’s hard to prove myself competent as a 36 year old.  I can’t imagine being a mom at 21 and going through it.  I do believe these women are good mothers and are trying their best.  It’s almost like an overcompensation.

“I’m parenting!  I care!  See how much work I’ve put in!  See how much I know!”

Has anyone else found this to be true?  Maybe it’s regional for us. [/quote]

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