Parent-child relationship further weakened with court order
by: Richard Land - Apr 28, 2009 - comments: 4
The decision by U.S. District Court Judge Edward Korman of New York to order the FDA to make Plan B, post-intercourse contraceptives available to 17-year-old girls without a prescription from their doctor is one more example of the government believing it has the right to interpose itself between parents and their children. It is shameful that the Obama administration has decided it will not appeal this terrible federal court decision.
Allowing drugs with such powerful physiological and emotional effects to be sold over the counter to adults without a prescription, as has been the case since 2005, has no doubt had significant consequences, none of them good. The decision to allow such drugs to be marketed and sold to underage teenagers without a prescription is absolutely incredible. No good can come out of it.
This decision will certainly lead to increased rates of sexual activity for teenagers, resulting in untold physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences, including increased rates of sexually transmitted diseases, against which Plan B offers no protection. It will certainly result in an even greater number of pharmacological, spontaneous abortions of babies, who will be conceived but known only to God. Plan B snuffs out their lives before implantation can occur.
This decision also showcases the senseless double standard with which the law addresses the abortion issue. In most schools, a 17-year-old girl can’t get an aspirin from the school nurse without parental permission, but she can buy an abortifacient drug over the counter without a prescription or without parental notification in order to kill her potential child.
The whole episode is shameful and dangerous. Perhaps the most frightening thing is that the Obama administration doesn’t seem to understand that.
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission works to protect the sanctity of human life. If you would like to learn more about this issue, additional resources are available here. Our free, downloadable Impact resource on the sanctity of human life is now available at iLiveValues.com. Additional resources are available for purchase on our online bookstore and erlc.com.
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comments
1 On Apr 29th, 2009, at 8:04am, Elaine wrote:
The district courts needs to starting paying closer attention to our crime on the streets which has escalated to an incredible proportion, and less time into family matters. There are still plenty of families that communicate and are in NO need of assistance from the district courts.
God still reigns as the high court in my home and he will be the one our family goes to assistance in a matter of such importance as this.
2 On May 4th, 2009, at 11:27am, Charlie Fugate wrote:
The problem is that the world is trying to give adult attributes to children. Emancipation, the rejection of parental notification laws, among others have seen this attempt gain widespread acceptance. Children are children, from age 17 to birth. Our nation has lost all respect and reverence for Providentially ordained order.
3 On May 7th, 2009, at 9:18am, Gregg wrote:
Part 1 of 2: While parents have natural rights with their children, there is a right that I think has been overlooked in the article. The rights of children for full education about their bodies before they can get into trouble seems to be an equally urgent matter to resolve in the United States today. If there is a second shameful thing about the topic at hand it may be that we allow pregnancies created due to ignorance of would be mothers and fathers.
I believe that our young people should be well protected against all illegal activity and I pray that we find better ways of realizing this goal, however I do not agree with a pretentious protectionism against teaching children how their bodies work before they can create a pregnancy. I not only believe in a process of educating our children to practice saying no to pregnancy before an “opportunity” naturally occurs in life, but it is OUR DUTY to increase our use of education as a means to reduce teen pregnancy.
4 On May 7th, 2009, at 9:29am, Gregg wrote:
Part 2 of 2: My reference above speaks of more than just supplanting health education to early teens, but teaching them a sense of empowerment. Can we explain about things that will bring them pain in a very matter-of-fact fashion? Is it possible to teach our children to envision successfully saying no and walking away to those choices? We can certainly teach them to have more peaceful lives by instilling a lifelong practice of prayer that envisions peace for people or region of the world.
In my own life, I like to practice a slow and steady breath and imagine watching my heart opening to love. This provides a sense of peace and fulfillment that simplifies decision making for me. While each person has a unique way that they can best be reached, all children can learn to better listen for God. The image of a delightful walk down by still waters with Jesus always seems to help me with difficult life choices.
Best wishes to all.