Final answer:
Parents have the authority to make decisions for their children unless those decisions are abusive or neglectful.
Step-by-step explanation:
In general, parents have the authority to make decisions for their children unless those decisions are abusive or neglectful. This means that parents can provide consent on behalf of their children, but children are not considered competent to provide consent for themselves. However, it is important to note that neglectful or abusive decisions should not be tolerated, as they can have serious negative consequences on a child's well-being.