Consent versus assent: which statement correctly describes both concepts?

• A. Consent: Legal approval from the adult; Assent: Child approval of procedures
• B. Consent: Child approval of procedures; Assent: Legal approval from adult
• C. Consent: Legal approval from institution; Assent: Parental approval
• D. Consent: Child consent; Assent: Child consent

Answer: (A)

In this area, consent and assent reflect two different sources of permission. Consent is the legal approval given by someone who has the authority to decide for the person involved—typically an adult patient or a parent/guardian for a minor. Assent is the child’s affirmative agreement to participate, expressed in a way that fits their age and understanding. It honors the child’s developing autonomy but does not carry the same legal weight as consent.

So the statement that correctly describes both concepts is that consent is legal approval from the adult, and assent is the child’s approval of procedures. This distinction matters because a parent or guardian provides the formal authorization for treatment or research involving a minor, while the child is asked for assent to participate, recognizing their voice without replacing the legal decision-maker.

The other ideas mix up who has authority or what assent means: if consent were the child’s approval, or if assent were legal approval from an adult, or if both were described as coming from the child or the institution, they don’t accurately reflect the legal and ethical roles involved.