| "Abortion is a major moral decision – one that many teens are not mature enough to make without counsel from their elders." | Parental Consent Laws: A Letter to the Editor The following is a letter submitted to The Boston Globe in response to a column written by Ellen Goodman. Ms. Goodman argued against a law being considered in Congress that would make it a crime for anyone to transport a teen across state lines to avoid parental consent laws concerning abortion. In my letter, I do not argue against abortion, since I did not think such a letter would get published. My main point in the letter is that abortion is a major moral decision – one that many teens are not mature enough to make without counsel from their elders. To the Editor: Ellen Goodman is right ("Carrying a bad abortion law across state lines" July 9). It has little to do with earrings. [Goodman had stated that many congressmen in arguing for parental consent laws bring up the fact that parental consent is needed for a teen to have her ears pierced.] But it does have to do with major moral decisions. Abortion, sex, drug use, alcohol use, etc. all have something in common. They are realities many teens experience, even though they really shouldn’t. All opinions aside (I view abortion as a moral evil), these involve major decisions that many teens do not have the maturity or experience to make. What’s unique is that with abortion, there is an adult involved – the doctor. The doctor has the opportunity to tell that teen, "You know, this is a big decision. I think you should seek your parents’ counsel." As parents, it is our duty to talk to our kids about these issues. Sometimes, that’s hard. It’s unsettling to think that our kids could be making major mistakes without our knowledge. With the issue of abortion, we deserve the chance to step in. That’s the way it should be. Finally, anyone who drives a pregnant teen across state lines to avoid a parental consent law is overstepping his or her role as friend, aunt, uncle, cousin, etc. That person is doing an injustice not only to the parent, but to that teen as well. Sincerely, Chris Mosmeyer |
