Poll: Abortion for minors.

[Violet]

I think so too. I just wish there were similar laws for what i need. I can actually imagine several other applications for this type of law... It really would be a good one. Now the question of how to introduce it to this community presents itself to me. I think it would do some good here.

[Retorth]

How about writing in?

[Violet]

To whom? http://housemajority.org/spon.php?id=26hb35-37 it was shot down once, but i will use this as powerful ammunition in case it comes up again... because neither 100% requirement or 100% non-requirement of parental consent is a perfect system... or even a very good system. I would much prefer to see this one go into place...

Perhaps if i introduce it now... it might gain some following in AK, and i will have an easier time getting emancipated. Perhaps more benefits as well... hmm. Maybe i will introduce the idea now. I thank you for responding to me as you did, and for giving me this idea that might help many people, both in short, and in long term. I give you + 1 rep for that

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Oops, didn't read it right, it passed the house. Though i never heard anything more on it... I'll have to do it sooner than i thought.

[Retorth]

I appreciate that, thank you. Well, I certainly hope they don't shoot it down but instead consider what you're bringing forth to them. Even the smallest of actions will make a difference I'm sure!

[Edwardo Piet]

I think for anyone to have the power to be able to force an underage pregnant woman to keep the baby completely against her wishes is completely preposterous and horribly unjust. This includes parents, the fact that anyone could have that kind of power when they're not the one underage and pregnant, they're not the one feeling it - is a horrible thought in my mind.

I am open to the possiblity of seeing it another way, but I certainly don't expect to. Insofar as I can see, all I see is inhumane preposterousness.

EvF

[Retorth]

An underage child-bearing female is a child not a woman, mind you. A child is not always capable of making rational decisions, hence the support required. Anyway, as mentioned earlier, instead of making it a requirement that an underage child-bearer seek parental guidance, making them seek guidance from a counsellor would be a much better option probably

[Edwardo Piet]

Guidence is completely different from another having the authority over the underage mother, and for this 'authority figure' able to force them to keep the child if they so wished.

I don't think anyone should have that kind of power over an underaged mother. That's completely different to 'guidence' is it not? There's a difference between 'guidence' and 'authority' right?

EDIT: I have only just read the counseling suggestion, and I think it is a brilliant one indeed. I think that there should be no consent required, no one should have that kind of authority - but mandatory counselling is a great idea.

EvF

[Eilonnwy]

I am of two minds on this issue. First, I want anyone who needs it to have access to abortion, yet at the same time we have specific laws regarding underage children and this would circumvent those laws.

Let's ignore the emotional response of wanting children to have access and not be pressured into or out of it by their parents. If we currently require parental/guardian permission for any other medical procedure, what right do we have to make this exception? Being a minor has legal implications and I don't think we can make exceptions because of our personal belief.

[Edwardo Piet]

Well I think this isn't as simple as other matters. I think there are reasons to make it an exception. An underage pregency is a very very big thing that changes the whole life of a person, and I don't think anyone should have the authority to be able to force someone underage to go through with the pregnancy. Mandantory counseling seems completely reasonable to me however.

EvF

[Eilonnwy]

Oh I agree, the issue is not so cut and dry. As I said, I'm of two minds on the issue.

There is some precedent of parents being brought on charges if they neglect health care, like when parents kill their children because they prayed for them. (Although I think there needs to be harsher punishments for crimes like these)

I think we need to try to get a handle on when the parent has the right to be involved in their child's health care and when they need back off and let the Doctor's handle thing. For instance, there is no such thing as informed consent. (Meaning, you can explain a procedure to a patient or next of kin, but it's very unlikely they can understand the complexity of the medical procedure and all it's pros and cons unless they are a doctor as well)

In the end all I'm saying is we have this gut reaction to say every child deserves the right to an abortion without their parent's religious belief interfering, and what legal obligations Doctor's have when dealing with underage patients. Because hey, if I had a child I would sure as hell want to be informed if they got an abortion. Granted, I would not try to influence my child's decision but jsut try to be there for them. Not all parents would have that mindset.