Am I required to claim a child who meets the qualifications of a dependent?

[NCperson]

no you are not

HOWEVER 

when that individual fills out his own tax return there is a question asked if he CAN BE claimed by someone else.  The answer is 'yes', even if you don't claim him! this trips a lot of people up!! 

and if the question is really about whether that other person can get stimulus, they can't as they CAN be claimed by someone else.

Why would you not want to claim them?  you get the 3rd stimulus ($1400), which you won't otherwise get, you may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $500.  

[DavidD66]

No, you are not required to claim someone that qualifies as your dependent.  That person however, is required to check the box on their return (if they file) to indicate that someone can claim them as a dependent, whether or not that person actually claims them or not.

[SundayInSalem]

You do not have to claim a dependent if you do not want to. Generally it's to your advantage to claim someone if they meet the qualifications.

However, if you do not claim your child, someone else, including the child, is not allowed to claim that person if he or she is really your dependent.