Cunt wrote:Coito ergo sum wrote:If you had a daughter and she got pregnant, and the school personnel saw fit to disregard your parental rights (and responsibilities) you might be livid as well.
Father of two 16-year-old women checking in. (well, one turned 16 last week, one turns 16 tomorrow)
I would be disappointed that they couldn't approach me about it. I would be concerned for their after-care. I would be proud of them for making what is still a difficult decision.
Do you have daughters, Coito? How would you feel? (if you did, I mean)
If that occurred, I would be quite concerned about a system that allowed strangers to direct and/or influence my family in that manner. I would be upset that they saw fit to deprive my daughter of my comfort and guidance in that situation. I would be outraged they they saw fit to impose their guidance in place of mine. I would likely consider it the equivalent of me surreptitiously meeting with their children, and advising them on sexual matters without their knowledge.
Cunt wrote:
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Coito ergo sum wrote:Warren Dew wrote:
This would make sense if parental permission were also needed in order to get pregnant in the first place.
I'm not certain how that relates. Up to a certain age, the sex involved might be statutory rape. The article discusses how school officials hushed it up out of fear the parents might want statutory rape prosecuted. I raised an eyebrow at that, because it sounds like being an accessory after the fact.
Is a victim an accessory after the fact when they decline to pursue prosecution in a sexual assault case?
The counselor is.
Cunt wrote:
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Coito ergo sum wrote:Why would parents have input into medical procedures that are unimportant, but not the important ones?
At 16, they don't. It is between the 16-year-old, their doctor, and whoever else they decide to include.
Coito ergo sum wrote:I haven't suggested the parents should be permitted to force anyone to have a baby. I'm talking about the conduct of some idiot school counselor to affirmatively cover up the action from the parents.
No, you are talking about the counselor keeping his or her mouth shut (as required) and a doctor making the decision not to include the parents.
The doctor decided to support the young lady - I think it's relevant.
Where there is no emergency, I strongly oppose third parties making medical decisions in place of the legal guardian of the minor child.
Cunt wrote:
Coito ergo sum wrote:
No 16 year old wants their parents to know they got knocked up. That doesn't mean the parents don't have a right to know. And, a school counselor is generally an incompetent moron. They just ask the kid if she feels comfortable talking to mom and dad, and if she says not, then poof - go ahead and let's keep it on the down-low.
Yup. Especially if the doc agrees.
That, in my opinion, is outrageous.
Cunt wrote:
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Shirley wrote:A few years ago I helped a friend get a secret abortion - no questions asked. It's what she said she wanted and I gave her lodgings and support as she did not want anyone to know.
WOO HOO!!! Congrats to you and that other nice lady who did it. I did it, too. The young lady did not want to include her parents, and I presume the doctor agreed with her assessment.
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Any decision which might lead to forcing a woman to carry a fetus to term should be avoided. Abortion is one of the most important human rights advances in a very long time. I would protect it as vigorously as I would protect freedom of speech. If the host doesn't want to carry the parasite, get it out. It really is simple. As to telling the parents, how could it possibly improve anything?
Informing the parents is not "forcing a woman to carry a fetus to term."
Would 'twer Freedom of Speech was nearly as protected....
I'm in favor of the freedom of women to have abortions. I'm not talking about the teen being deprived of that. What I'm talking about is the interference with parents being parents. How could telling the parents improve anything? Really? Parents are the primary physical and mental caregivers to their children, and they have been the ones providing care, advice, assistance, support, maintenance, and all the rest of what it is required to raise a child. The parents are the ones who took the child to the hospital when she broke her arm, or cared for a psychologically upset child on many occasions through life. The parents are generally the ones who provide the solace, comfort and support. Such things could be provided by the parents in the situation of a pregnancy.