TABLE 2.

Arguments Against Disclosure of Terminal Diagnosis/Prognosis to Children (1950s–1970s)

Potential inaccuracy of diagnosis/prognosis	“[W]ithout an accurate diagnosis, it is cruel to arouse anxieties unnecessarily.”26
Truth could be harmful to children	“[I]f a child were aware of or suspected the significance of his illness (that is, his impending death), the accompanying anxiety would be highly upsetting to him and would become a concern for the staff.”32
Sick children did not want information; or children were repressing awareness to cope with anxiety	“[C]hildren observed by us rarely manifested an overt concern about death…. Our suspicion is that this does not reflect an awareness but rather represents an attempt at repression psychologically of the anxiety concerning death.”26
Disclosure could upset family structure	“We are concerned about the effect this revelation may have on relationships with parents, brothers and sisters, other relatives, and playmates and classmates.”23