By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Should Parents be Allowed to Give Teachers Gifts?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Medical Ethics > Should Parents be Allowed to Give Teachers Gifts?
Medical Ethics

Should Parents be Allowed to Give Teachers Gifts?

DavidEWilliams
DavidEWilliams
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

Today’s Boston Globe (Gift limits for teachers irk givers, recipients; Many reject fears of undue influence) goes after an easy target: restrictions and reporting requirements for teachers who receive gifts from parents. Under a state advisory teachers can’t accept gifts worth more than $50 and must file written disclosures even for cheaper gifts if a “reasonable person” could think a teacher would be influenced as a result of the gift. The Globe story trots out the obvious objections to the policy:

  • “There’s no common sense here,” says a superintendent.
  • Teachers often use the gifts to buy something for the classroom, not themselves
  • Expensive gifts are rare
  • No one’s complained

I’m sympathetic to these arguments. And yet, experience from the pharmaceutical industry tells us that the state may actually be on to something here with its restrictions. There are a lot of reasons pharmaceutical companies give doctors gifts. Some of the big items (largely banned now) such as pricey tickets for sporting events and trips to exotic locations are straightforward attempts to buy influence. But it’s interesting to note that pharma is still keen to give out small gifts such as pens and prescription pads and to pay for lunch. One reason they do this is that pharma understands that even small gifts create a sense of obligation on the part of the recipient. Subconsciously the doctor wants to pay the pharma rep back, and the easiest ways to do that are to spend time with the rep (when they can be influenced to prescribe a specific drug) or just to start writing more prescriptions. Even when doctors think they aren’t being influenced they often are. That’s why pharma keeps at it. I’m not saying teachers are necessarily going to be influenced by small gifts from parents. The dynamics are different in the classroom after all. But the Globe is remiss for not exploring this angle, especially in what’s billed as a news story. Even if restrictions were removed, I’d like to see the teachers receive brief education on the psychology of gift giving so they can be aware of the dangers. I’d like to see the same for doctors, too.

TAGGED:medical ethics
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

J and J DePuy Hip Recall Methodologies Touching on Patient Privacy

August 22, 2011

Is pharma industry too meek on pricing?

April 3, 2016

Expanding Medicaid benefits for improved behavioral health care, substance abuse treatment

August 4, 2015
Medical EthicsNews

Save a Fetus, Kill a Woman?

November 30, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?