I really think that laws such as these...aimed at allowing teens and even younger girls, to obtain birth control or abortions without parental consent, are not there to take parents' rights for decision-making away, but rather to protect those girls who are in abusive situations...whether with a partner or a male family member. Really, should a 13 year old little girl who is being raped by her father (uncle, cousin, brother, step-father, etc) have to ask permission from this man to obtain birth control? What if she gets pregnant? Should she have to seek his permission to get an abortion? That would be cruel, sick and indefensible...not to mention putting the victim even further under her abuser's control.
I hope that when the time comes that my daughters will talk to me, seek me out for advice and help, but I also know that not every parent is as open to hearing that their daughters are having (or might have) sex as I am. Whether because they are neglectful, or willfully ignoring the situation, it doesn't matter. Women (and girls) have the right to protect themselves and make choices concerning their reproduction. Young women should be empowered to make those choices when the people who should be caring for them can't or won't.
To all of you detractors...god (or substitute the deity of your choice, but I'm going to assume it's god) forbid addiction should ever afflict you or your family...you are obviously uneducated about substance abuse and its treatment...methadone clinics are called "harm-reduction" models of treatment....contrary to popular belief, it is more than just the addiction that is the problem, that is why people can't "just stop doing drugs/drinking". Things like depression, anxiety, PTSD and such are usual co-occurring issues. Not to mention the fact that an extremely high percentage of women who experience addiction also have some sort sexual abuse in their past (usually incest as a child) that has never been addressed. You are all a group of unfeeling, un-empathetic people, and I repeat my previous statement...I hope addiction never strikes you or someone you love!
I, for one, am glad that they are considering opening a methadone clinic here. More people might be able to get the help they need...including therapy. We can just stick our heads in the sand and pretend Lewiston/Auburn doesn't have a heroin/opiate problem (or just complain about the problem), or we can advocate for, and support, places such as this.
I'd say hospitals are pretty clean places...being antiseptic, and all that, so I highly doubt that cleanliness is the largest factor...I don't care how OCD you are about cleaning, unless you are living in an entirely remote area with nothing coming in (clothes, furniture, appliances, etc), you never going anywhere and absolutely NO visitors...anyone else, no matter how vigilant or diligent has a chance. Even new furniture, clothes and appliances can be infested from the delivery trucks (especially the rental places Rent-A-Center, etc.). Once you get them, THEN cleaning thoroughly *and* often becomes a reason for *STILL* having them. Unfortunately, not every home owner can afford either chemical or heat extermination, especially if the process needs to be repeated (as chemical extermination does). That is the BIGGEST reason why they haven't been eradicated, imo. Not everyone can afford to do it the right way. The second biggest reason, (again, imo) is the stereotyping and judging of others make it almost impossible for people to come forward and admit to the problem. No one breeds bedbugs, they do not spontaneously come to life under piles of dirty clothes. The ignorance here is really horrible. Rather than make it safe to alert neighbors, landlords, pest control people, the comments here keep people in fear of others will judge them.
But many parents AREN'T doing their jobs...instead of griping about it...do something! Become involved...even if you're not a parent, there lots of places who would love to have volunteers to help educate parents about how to raise their children...based on SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. Not to mention the fact that just because some parents aren't doing as much as we know they can, doesn't mean children should have to pay the consequences.
sadie's Comments
I really think that laws such
I really think that laws such as these...aimed at allowing teens and even younger girls, to obtain birth control or abortions without parental consent, are not there to take parents' rights for decision-making away, but rather to protect those girls who are in abusive situations...whether with a partner or a male family member. Really, should a 13 year old little girl who is being raped by her father (uncle, cousin, brother, step-father, etc) have to ask permission from this man to obtain birth control? What if she gets pregnant? Should she have to seek his permission to get an abortion? That would be cruel, sick and indefensible...not to mention putting the victim even further under her abuser's control.
I hope that when the time comes that my daughters will talk to me, seek me out for advice and help, but I also know that not every parent is as open to hearing that their daughters are having (or might have) sex as I am. Whether because they are neglectful, or willfully ignoring the situation, it doesn't matter. Women (and girls) have the right to protect themselves and make choices concerning their reproduction. Young women should be empowered to make those choices when the people who should be caring for them can't or won't.
To all of you
To all of you detractors...god (or substitute the deity of your choice, but I'm going to assume it's god) forbid addiction should ever afflict you or your family...you are obviously uneducated about substance abuse and its treatment...methadone clinics are called "harm-reduction" models of treatment....contrary to popular belief, it is more than just the addiction that is the problem, that is why people can't "just stop doing drugs/drinking". Things like depression, anxiety, PTSD and such are usual co-occurring issues. Not to mention the fact that an extremely high percentage of women who experience addiction also have some sort sexual abuse in their past (usually incest as a child) that has never been addressed. You are all a group of unfeeling, un-empathetic people, and I repeat my previous statement...I hope addiction never strikes you or someone you love!
I, for one, am glad that they
I, for one, am glad that they are considering opening a methadone clinic here. More people might be able to get the help they need...including therapy. We can just stick our heads in the sand and pretend Lewiston/Auburn doesn't have a heroin/opiate problem (or just complain about the problem), or we can advocate for, and support, places such as this.
I'd say hospitals are pretty
I'd say hospitals are pretty clean places...being antiseptic, and all that, so I highly doubt that cleanliness is the largest factor...I don't care how OCD you are about cleaning, unless you are living in an entirely remote area with nothing coming in (clothes, furniture, appliances, etc), you never going anywhere and absolutely NO visitors...anyone else, no matter how vigilant or diligent has a chance. Even new furniture, clothes and appliances can be infested from the delivery trucks (especially the rental places Rent-A-Center, etc.). Once you get them, THEN cleaning thoroughly *and* often becomes a reason for *STILL* having them. Unfortunately, not every home owner can afford either chemical or heat extermination, especially if the process needs to be repeated (as chemical extermination does). That is the BIGGEST reason why they haven't been eradicated, imo. Not everyone can afford to do it the right way. The second biggest reason, (again, imo) is the stereotyping and judging of others make it almost impossible for people to come forward and admit to the problem. No one breeds bedbugs, they do not spontaneously come to life under piles of dirty clothes. The ignorance here is really horrible. Rather than make it safe to alert neighbors, landlords, pest control people, the comments here keep people in fear of others will judge them.
And to DR:
But many parents AREN'T doing their jobs...instead of griping about it...do something! Become involved...even if you're not a parent, there lots of places who would love to have volunteers to help educate parents about how to raise their children...based on SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. Not to mention the fact that just because some parents aren't doing as much as we know they can, doesn't mean children should have to pay the consequences.