My daughter (twelve years old) was called in for counseling at school this week, along with several of her friends. Apparently one of them wasn’t getting along with the others, and went to the counselor, and she decided to intervene.
While I appreciate the good intentions of the counselor, what I didn’t like was the fact I wasn’t even informed, let alone asked for permission.
In and of itself this incident is not a big deal. But it is indicative of the ridiculous laws currently in place, which to me, make absolutely no sense at all.
I can only speak to the laws in Maryland. Right now, all three of my daughters—ages 20, 15 and 12—can get the morning-after (emergency contraception) pill without my knowledge or consent. They are also entitled to:
- Pregnancy testing
- Birth control
- Medical and dental exams
- Testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Counseling and treatment for drug abuse,
- Counseling and treatment for alcoholism,
- Counseling and treatment for contraception other than sterilization
All without my knowledge, let alone my consent.
Illustration by John Tenniel of the Red Queen lecturing Alice for Lewis Carroll’s “Through The Looking Glass”
They can also procure an abortion. Technically Maryland requires parental notification, but the provider does not have to contact the parent if in the opinion of the doctor “notification would not be in the best interest of the minor,” or “the minor is mature and capable of giving her informed consent to the procedure.” So, basically, never.
There are a few things they can’t do without my consent. They can’t get married until age 18, and they can’t get a tattoo until age 16, though I’m told most reputable shops won’t do it until the child 18. They can’t get a driver’s license, and they can’t use an indoor tanning bed. They can’t even get sunscreen put on at camp (to avoid inappropriate touching, you know). I had to sign a form so my twelve-year-olds could watch the documentary “Supersize Me” in class!
It seems to me that it’s all been turned upside down. Like we we’re all on the other side of the looking glass. And as the Red Queen said, “You may call it nonsense if you like, but I’ve heard nonsense, compared with which that would be as sensible as a dictionary!”
In Maryland, at least, without a parent’s knowledge a teen can make a baby, kill a baby or raise a baby. She just can’t drive anywhere to do it.
Comments 2
I agree, Carole. Yesterday I watched a webinar sponsored by ADF (Alliance Defending Freedom)–an organization of lawyers who work on religious liberties and similar cases. The speaker was giving an update on recent US Supreme Court activity, and one thing he said really stuck with me. I’m paraphrasing, but essentially he said that although the US Constitution expressly protects and places a high priority on religious liberty, the Court seems to have elevated sexual liberty to the highest priority of all, so that if religious liberty conflicts with sexual liberty, sexual liberty (whatever the heck that means) must prevail. So messed up.
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