Underage sex and contraception??

Question

I have just seen that a Tory MP wants to give parents rights to know when their children (under 16) are given contraception or have an abortion.

The Contraception and Abortion (Parental Information) Bill is being presented to the House of Commons under the "10-minute rule'' procedure on Wednesday.

I support this bill 150% - do you????

Answer 1

Absolutely. I'm with you 100%.

It's about time someone stood up for parent's rights and this one is long overdue.

I would have no issue discussing contraception with my children but(and I hate to have to point this out) condoms are protective against more than just babies-unlike the pill-and they can be bought over the counter without my knowledge if they're that keen to keep it a secret.

Let's be honest, how many teens (or adults for that matter) do you know that would use a condom if they, or their girlfriend was on the pill? Besides, the pill and injection are no more effective than a condom percentage-wise but they do have more side effects.

As regards abortion, well sorry but I don't hold with this liberal 'kids have rights' twoddle that would allow a daughter of mine to have an abortion without my knowledge.

Not because I'm nosey or dictatorial but because I care about my daughters well being over and above whatever unfortunate situation she may be in-regardless of what she may believe as a highly hormonal, emotionally charged teen (and that's BEFORE pregnancy).

It's all very well for the bleeding heart liberals to say 'we must respect their privacy' and imply that to not do so would lead to back street abortion clinics springing up all over the place but who do they think is going to provide appropriate care for my child while EMA pills take effect or worse still post surgery that I don't know she's had.

How can I be held accountable as my daughter's legal guardian if I am not legally permitted to be in full possession of all the facts regarding her medical treatment and care?

More to the point, however, is how the hell can I support her through something that can be emotionally devastating not only at the time but later in life as an adult when I am not aware it happened?

Answer 2

While we are obviously not in the same country, no, I don't believe it's a good idea. For the simple reason that not every parent can handle this information. I know too many people in law enforcement and they have to deal with the worst of the worst every day. There are some parents that may not take too kindly to the news their child is having sex or already pregnant (there are some so called 'devoutly religious' even who's idea of parenting borders on or mimics child abuse). These 'parents' may decide to take the matter into their own hands and punish the child severely. I'm not talking a tongue lashing. No...how about in the instances where the child has either beat their children to death or at least enough to force a miscarriage? Then what about all these young girls too frightened to tell their parents of their 'delicate' condition and now government interference has forced these children to seek out abortions from not so reputable people (i.e. 'back alley abortions and the like).

Yep, I would certainly hope a bill like this DOES NOT pass.

Answer 3

No I do not at all!

Despite the majority of parents being responsible and having a good enough relationship with their children to be able to discuss sex and contraception openly, this is not always the case. Even of those that do, how many would support their under-age children getting contraception?

Young people should have access to other sources of information and assistance outside of parental sphere particularly where the young person is being more responsible than the "parent" e.g. the child learns about sex/contraception, is aware of the risks and wants to ensure they take appropriate precautions. If they are doing this responsibly, why does a parent need to know?

If the parent has such a poor relationship with their child that the child cannot discuss this with them, then why should they be involved?

I applaud giving young people the maximum choice in where they can get help and support to act responsibly particularly where their "parents" aren't.

How many parents on this board, support this bill only because it will give them legislative control over their children because they don't have open communication? How many parents would go nuts/mental if they found out through this that their children were haveing responsible under-age sex rather than being proud of their responsible children.

Instead, parents should stop trying to make their children grow up too quickly e.g. dressing them in "mini-me" adult clothing and apply more discipline etc. and maybe the issue of under-age sex wouldn't even occur too young...

Answer 4

i think people are hoping it would stop children under 16 having sex, on the other hand it might stop those children who are getting contraception not get it anymore because their parents would find out they are having sex. its a really complicated issue. i agree parents should know if their child has had an abortion 100%, because not only will they need medical care they need emotional support that friends at that age just cant provide.

ultimately childrens whole attitude to sex needs to be changed, and children need condoms not just the pill. education and the way sex is dealt with at home with the birds and the bees talk needs to be changed, bringing in a rule isnt gonna change these attitudes to sex.

Answer 5

No, it's completely outrageous. Young kids who want to have sex will do it- and they need contraception more than anyone, and if they're going to get it they absolutely NEED privacy and confidentialty. There is no way I'd have gone on the pill at 15 if my mother had to know. I couldn't have regularly bought condoms from Boots either, pocket money wouldn't have stretched to the £12 per pack. So what happens then?

And if a girl is pregnant- however old she is- that is HER baby, and her decision, and if she doesn't want her parents to know that is her right- some girls might not tell because they know their parents would pressure, or even force them to choose a certain path. A 15 year old pregnant girl may be a child, but that doesn't make her any less pregnant- and with that comes certain rights which we would be compromising if we forced her to involve her parents (who ultimately have control over her at that age).

Answer 6

Of course, anyone who doesn't is a liberal lune! The trend by theliberal left is to take away any parantal rights and let the state take over. In many states an underage can get an abortion without informing their parents. Kids at that age have no clue about sex (even thought they think they do)In may areas sex at 16 or under is statutory rape, so the school is giving contrcetives for statuatory rape!!

Answer 7

ok so in some fantasy world where most of you are living if the law is enacted and parents know and tell their kids no they cant get birth control all the sudden teenagers stop having sex????

or better yet they have sex anyway get pregnant dont want the baby and instead of going to a clinic they go to some underground place and have a coat hanger abortion....wow way to set the US back 30 years. i hope i never see any of you posting on the pregnancy board boohoo my 13 year old is pregnant.....or omg my 15 year old has gang green from an underground abortion..your kids and my kids and every other teenager are gonna have sex if they want to regardless of the laws and what we do.

Answer 8

Im undecided on this one. I think were missing the point when it comes to under age sex!

We should be targetting the schools and parents and make efforts to educate our youth, if we don't then the above bill is redundant and there will just be alot of turmoil in families that find out their teens are having sex!

Answer 9

I support the part about contraception but it worries me that even more girls will become pregnant as a result of being frightened to speak to their parents about and they will end up having unprotected sex.

Answer 10

Here in the U.S. it has been defeated and brought up many times....just for the courts to throw out the law as unconstitutional......I've yet to understand how a child needs permission or adult supervision for everything else in the medical field but contraception use and abortion.....Parents have a right to know what their child does.