We share Roberts and Buckloh's (this issue) concern about issues of as
sent and permission in research with children and agree that our resea
rch cannot conclude legitimately that (a) researchers failed to obtain
permission/assent, (b) children were put at risk, or (c) failure to r
eport permission/assent procedures was, in any way, unethical. We neve
r made these conclusions. Rather, we argue that publishing assent and
permission would enhance compliance with ethical standards, sensitize
researchers and readers to its importance, and shift publishing priori
ties in an appropriate direction.