Bitch Ph.D. on the Florida case in which the state believes it is in the best interest for a 13-year-old girl to be forced to carry her pregnancy to term even though she has explicitly stated every step of the way that she doesn’t want to:
The fact of the matter is, young girls do sometimes get pregnant. It happens. Abortion is legal, having children is legal. Butt the fuck out and let these girls decide what to do for themselves, and if you’re so goddamn concerned about it, offer to help. Advocate for providing financial support to single moms; advocate for young women’s right to continue their education, even if they have children; argue with people who cluck cluck about young mothers; don’t assume that every young woman you see with a little kid is a big sister or a nanny (and don’t assume that, if she’s the mama, that that’s an awful pity); if you know a young woman who has a kid, offer to babysit once in a while. If she decides that adoption is the way she wants to go, support her in that (and don’t pretend that it’s an easy decision, going through forty weeks of pregnancy, with everyone treating you like a social pariah, risking your health and changing your body, only to give up the child you’ve borne at the end of the process, possibly never to see it again).
And for god’s sake, if a thirteen-year old kid decides, “hey, I’m not up for all that,” don’t argue with her.
And quotes from the girl’s testimony in front of a judge, courtesy of Shakespeare’s Sister:
L.G.: Why can’t I make my own decision?
Judge Alvarez: I don’t know.
L.G.: You don’t know? Aren’t you the judge?* * *
Department of Children and Family Services: The Department of Children and Families has the custodial responsibility to do what is in the best interest of the child.
L.G.: I think if I want to make the decision, it’s my business and I can do that. It would make no sense to have the baby. I don’t think I should have the baby because I’m 13, I’m in a shelter and I can’t get a job. DCF would take the baby anyway [but] if I do have it, I’m not going to let them take it.* * *
L.G.: Since you guys are supposedly here for the best interest of me, then wouldn’t you all look at that fact that it’d be more dangerous for me to have the baby than to have an abortion?
Judge Alvarez: A good point.
OBGYN: At her age and at her stage of gestation … her risk of death from an abortion procedure is about 1 in 34,000. The risk of death in pregnancy is about 1 in 10,000.* * *
Judge Alvarez (paraphrase): Who is the father?
L.G.: That’s not really necessary.
I want to give this girl a hug for being so damned brave.
Related Reading: Life: It’s the Period Before You’re Born and After You’re Vegetative
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::applauds the girl::
Haha, I wish I was that petulant and well-spoken at 13.
Well if you had a 13 yr old daughter who was pregnant do you think that is a good reflection upon yourself as a parent? Now apart from the fact I think sex should be legal from 12, if the law states 16 or 18, then that’s the law.
If she wants an abortion why doesn’t she travel somewhere that will allow it and pay for it herself? She could do herself a favour and have an hysterectomy at the same time. Why not have the baby and then give it up for adoption, she could even give it to a gay or lesbian couple who may not be eligible for adopting.
Assume she was not raped, then she chose to have sex, she chose not to use protection, the child is innocent, the girl is not. It is a shame on people’s morals they think we should hand abortions out like candyfloss.
Monjo, the girl is a ward of the state — her parents are not responsible for her. Indeed, their failure to act in a responsible manner regarding their child is the reason she _is_ a ward of the state.
She is in a state that does NOT have parental notification laws.
She is in a state that permits abortion — if she were 18, she’d be allowed to get one with no questions asked.
Carrying a pregnancy to term at her age is more likely to result in her death than abortion, and virtually guaranteed to result in lasting health problems that may affect future fertility.
Giving up a baby is not like giving up a puppy or a kitten. Plus she already knows that her non-white child would most likely be thrown back into the system that has shown itself to be so careful of the welfare of children in its care.
We don’t know the circumstances under which she became pregnant. As you noted, she may have been raped or abused in other ways. So why are you still assuming that she was “bad” and must be “punished” with a pregnancy? (And why are you eager to tranform what should a profoundly sacred act, when undertaken willingly, into a punishment?)
And, finally, _she_ is a child herself, and worthy of care and protection and, even, adoption by a responsible adult. Or have you forgotten that?
You _are_ a heartless bastard, aren’t you?
Monjo, you obviously haven’t read the context surrounding this case, and I highly suggest you do before making such spurious judgement calls.
What can you expect from PRO-LIFE , PRO-WAR, PRO-DEATH PENALTY kind of people ?
Look at this, they want no abortions… because they prefer them in stars and stripes wrapped coffins :
http://www.misspoppy.com/catalog/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=16346&cat=300&page=1
It’s sad, but the christian right is ruling.
On the other side this little girl can make sense and complete long sentences while most “PRO-LIFE” can’t (i.e gwb)
Rana: I am anti-abortion unless there’s a strong medical reason or unless both parents are in favour (but even here I think we should limit to 12 weeks); if it is rape then we can assume the father’s opinion is null and void.
There is no strong medical case here. 1 in 30,000 or whatever. How will it affect future fertility, women are designed to give birth from the age of 12/13, in fact by 18 ovum are already deteriorating.
The racial mix of her child is irrelevant, that’s an issue for a racist society to deal with, not for abortion (which is basically a form of eugenics that you advocate).
Lauren/Rana: You seem to think pregnancy is a punishment and some male form of oppressing women. Is this what you truly believe. Do you truly believe abortion is morally correct or are you just towing some feminist line?
Women are not oppressed by men – certainly not in the USA anyway; women can choose to abstain, to take birth control pills, to use condoms, coils and other measures.
Abortion is not a woman vs man issue; it is an issue of people (men and women) MURDERING babies.
Ive heard women say babies are parasites. Okay if any women here believes that tell your child when they reach say 12/13 that you once considered them a parasite.
I think in the great struggle to get women rights, we destroyed base human rights.
My judgement call is not spurious, it is considered and based around my morality of protecting life.
I realise my view isnt consistent with most people’s here, but I believe I am consistent within myself.
Finally I am not a bastard – I was born to parents who were married. And if I had no heart, I’d be dead.
Finally I am not a bastard – I was born to parents who were married.
Monjo, you’re treading on some fragile ground here. Think about who I am and what my son is to me. I’ve put up with quite a bit from you in recent times and am wondering why you choose to stick around at all. And why I let you.
I’d like to know how many children Monjo has adopted? And of those, how many non-white, older, possibly drug-addicted or disabled? Hmm?
Walk the walk, Monjo…
I’m always amused at the “innocent” line, when the same people believe in “original sin”. So, is a fetus innocent or a sinner? Which is it?