Why Asking for Permission to Parent Is A Wake up Call
When parents first discover the option of an exemption, it can feel like a relief: “We can still send Johnny to school without compromising our values.” But the reality is far more complicated. Exemptions aren’t simply a gesture of tolerance—they carry implications that reveal how schools view parents and families.

Many assume the availability of an exemption reflects open-mindedness or respect for personal choice. In truth, exemptions often function as little more than a symbolic concession. Far from guaranteeing autonomy, they subtly reinforce the idea that parents must ask permission to live according to their beliefs.
Exemptions Do Not Equal Autonomy
Filing for a medical, religious, or philosophical exemption is not an affirmation of rights—it is a request. Parents must submit justification, wait for approval, and in some cases face rejection. This process flips the natural order of authority: parents, who should be primary decision-makers, are placed in the role of supplicants, while schools and state agencies act as final arbiters.
Compliance Over Individual Choice
Exemptions exist within a framework that assumes compliance is the default. To opt out is to be the “exception,” not the rule. Families who dissent are marked as outliers (often viewed and treated as pariahs). Rather than honoring parental authority, institutions prioritize their protocols and liability above the individuality, health needs, or values of children and families.
Real Cases: When Schools Override Parents
Recent court cases show what happens when parental authority collides with institutional protocol:
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Vermont (2021–2024)
The Politella family’s 6-year-old son was vaccinated at a school clinic against explicit parental instructions and despite the child’s resistance.
Legal Outcome: In August 2024, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that the PREP Act shields school officials from liability for negligence or battery in vaccination cases. Parents were left with no state-level remedy—only narrow federal options in cases of serious injury or death. -
Maine (2021)
A child was vaccinated without parental consent. Courts again affirmed PREP Act immunity for providers, reinforcing the same pattern. -
North Carolina (2021–2025)
Fourteen-year-old Tanner Smith was given the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at school, despite explicit refusals from both him and his mother.
Legal Outcome: In March 2025, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled the case could proceed, stating that PREP Act immunity does not automatically override constitutional parental rights or a minor’s bodily autonomy.
These cases highlight a sobering reality: once children are enrolled, schools often wield more authority than parents anticipate—sometimes even over fundamental health decisions.
What This Means for Families
Exemptions are not evidence that the system respects parental rights. They are reminders that institutional priorities lie in compliance, not family sovereignty. Every exemption form is a signal that parents must fit into the school’s framework—not the other way around.
For families, this means exemptions should not provide comfort or reassurance. They are, in fact, red flags that the system’s values are not aligned with yours. Assuming your deeply held beliefs will always be honored within that system is risky, and recent legal precedents confirm why.

Many parents who once relied on exemptions have since concluded that schools are not designed to protect children, but to protect institutions. This realization has led countless families to pursue homeschooling instead—building an education centered on their values and reclaiming their rightful authority.
Ready to Take Back Authority?
If you’re considering homeschooling, we’ve created a free guide to help you begin with confidence. It walks you through transitioning out of institutional schooling and reclaiming parental authority. No matter what state you live in, this guide is your first step!
For families ready to go deeper, our Vitality School curriculum (included in our membership), offers health and sovereignty education for adolescents. This empowers your children with real-world health knowledge while keeping family values at the center.
And if you’re looking for a full-spectrum curriculum that prioritizes critical thinking, history, and independent thought, we recommend Classical Learner. Use code REALVITALITY for a discount and give your children the tools to question, discern, and grow as free thinkers.