States have broad authority to regulate the actions and treatment of children. Parental authority is not absolute and can be permissibly restricted if doing so is in the interests of a child's welfare. While children share many of the rights of adults, they face different potential harms from similar activities. Compulsory vaccination is an example of a fundamental police power. Decided January 31, 1944 (argued December 14, 1943). Opinion of the Court: Wiley Rutledge → go there Dissenting: Murphy, Jackson. Topic: Public health and safety. Prince v. Massachusetts, 321 U.S. 158 (1944), was a United States Supreme Court case which held that the government has broad authority to regulate the actions and treatment of children. Parental authority is not absolute and can be permissibly restricted if doing so is in the interests of a child's welfare. While children share many of the rights of adults, they face different potential harms from similar activities. Wiki link