In the Philippines, the decision about tuli usually sits with parents, and the legal authority to consent for a child is theirs. But consent and assent are different things. Consent is the permission a parent gives; assent is the child's own agreement. For a decision that is irreversible and about his own body, a boy old enough to understand should have a real say — and an unwilling child should not be forced or shamed into it.
Pressure isn't agreement
Teasing about being "supot", peer pressure, or being told he has no choice are not the same as a child freely agreeing. Shame is a poor basis for an irreversible decision.
The right to delay
Because tuli isn't urgent for a healthy boy, there is room to wait until he can understand, take part, and cooperate with healing. Waiting is a valid, caring choice.
A balanced view: parents face real, sincere social pressure, and wanting to spare a son from ridicule is understandable. Holding both truths at once is the honest position — culture matters and the child's body and willingness matter. International child-rights principles hold that a child's own views should be given weight, in line with his age and maturity.
Full guide coming next
We're expanding this into a complete guide on talking with a child, recognising pressure, and what age-appropriate assent looks like in practice.