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GAMECOC Founded 1908 Fletcher Johnson, Acting Editor-in Jerry Brewer, General Managei Linda S. Haines, Advertising Man Jean Hatchell, Business Managt 9 Mark McEwan, Production Manag Birth Cont Should the law require parents to be informed when their children seek birth control? If a regulation under review by the Department of Health and Human Services is adopted, then federal funded clinics will De required to notify the parents of all those under the age of 18 who have received birth control requiring medical prescriptions ? IUD'S, the pill and diaphragms. The only exception to this law will be for minors who can prove that her parents would physically harm her if they knew. If this regulation is passed, then it will spell disaster for thousands of teenage girls. In South Carolina, there are approximately 124 federally funded family planning clinics. These clinics provide 12,000 /(Inlr, ...UU J: 1 i. 1 1- -r I * i gma w 1 tn meuiuai iiiemuus 01 Dirin control, according to Sara Woolbert, director of family planning for South Carolina, in the Charlotte Observer. Wooten claims that not only will this regulation prevent minors from seeking birth control, but it will prevent kids from seeking other services from the clinics, like pregnancy tests and VD tests. They will think that if their parents will be called for birth control, then they will be called for everything else as well. Despite whether or not many want to believe it, many high school kids are sexually active today. This regulation will not curtail this sexual activity, it will only raise the risk of pregnancy. ml- ? - i i " inis reguiauon will only punish the kids who are responsible enough to get birth control, the kids who are smart enough to consider the consequences before they engage in sexual activity. If birth control is taken away from these high school students, then manv _ ?, J lives may be altered; many more students may find themselves with a family right out of high school instead of a college career. The intent of this law is to help the parents communicate with their children. It is sad to think that a family needs a law to help imnrnuP itc c* n m rr? nnioo(ic\i-> If V V V/ i vu Wllllll U111V/ C4 11 KJ11. XX parents care enough or feel strongly enough about it, let them talk to their children and tell them their feelings and views. The parents need to tell their children if they think premarital sex is immoral or wrong. But, then the parents need to be receptive to their children's views as well. If a ., ! I I Ton* Coyne. News Editor * Johnny Boggs, Sports Editor John Vaughan, Entertainment Editor Beth Sundrla, Copydesk Chief Chief Mike Fisher. Graphics Editor Lezlie Wallace, Editorial Page Editor Patty McCarthy. Asst. News Editor aSer Buddy Horres, Asst. Sports Editor 2r Chris Hughes, Intramurals Editor I Mark Ethridge Jr., Adviser J er rol Threat family believes it needs a law to communicate, then they need more hpln than thic nno rncmlafinn b " "** w,iu vwv If kids can tell their parents that they want birth control and their parents will understand, discuss it with them and help them, then that is one matter. But unfortunately, many parents are still living in their generation. They refuse to acknowledge that times have changed, and that some things which were not allowed when they were growing up are acceptable now. Many kids have to go behind their parents back. Obviously, if , they are going to be sexually ac- I i.! i.1 1- 11- A 1 i 1 I uve, men Dirin coniroi is essential. But, many parents would not understand, and it would only cause unnecessary problems. Proponents say that if parents and children are forced to communicate, then teens will learn the value of abstinence, which, they claim, is the ultimate solution to the teen pregnancy problem. Abstinence is the surest wav to avoid pregnancy. However, let us be realistic. The kids who are already sexually active are going to remain sexually active. And peer pressure in high school will keep the figures of those who engage in premarital sex rising. Mimi Barker, spokeswoman for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in the Charlotte Observer that the proposed regulation is contrary to the law. Some states have teenage confidentiality laws, which make it illegal for a physician to notify parents that their child has come in for birth control without that child's permission. South Carolina does not have such laws, but 30 states do. If the regulation is adopted, the federally funded family planning clinics must comply in order to receive the 11 ? - muney, regardless ol state laws. This regulation would be a mistake for the Department of Health and Human Services to pass. It would not improve communication between parents and their children; nor would it stop teenage sexual activity. It would only escalate teenage pregnancies. Let parents take some responi* ... sioiiuy lor communication ? don't punish the responsible students who are protecting themselves and their futures. wmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmtamm 1 r^M/Tit IVUtlltM ^ [ MOfiAlW^TV 1 ;-hv-C:'W ~? Letters io Pedestrian TO THE EDITOR I agree with your editorial oT April 15 regart area of Greene Street in front of the Russell campus itself, and since students are used to it think it should be closed around the clock. Ma pelvis, and not wait like the city of Charlotte North Carolina from 1973 to 1979. During the 1 incredibly busy Shamrock Drive while walki Because up until that time my dubbing of Ch basically true, except in the main downtown began a citywide construction program of side I must make note, however, of my dubbing o my arrival here in the summer of 1979. Most < spent as a secretary on the USC campus and 1 art of jaywalking on such streets as Greene, 5 drivers trying to negotiate the USC campus ai faculty and staff could exercise more caution i way 10 class or to work or to grab a quick lui more caution in turning left or right on a grei.i painted crosswalks at intersections! Fraternities H TO THE EDITOR Being that the week of April 12-17 was Gree! my thoughts about fraternities for men and American colleges and universities since the what he/she likes the most about fraternities parties. This answer is normal because it is th all fraternity and sorority members in the pas community services and fund raisers, posl development, involvement. exDressivenpss competition, dependable acquaintances, org and more people. I know it sounds like I'm boasting on the adv I cannot help it. It would be nice if everyone w fraternity and sorority members. We always who or what organization the person is in. M JIUI ^ In Thursday's Gamecock an editorial was w Secretary Week. We would like to make a coi week, not last week. Once again, we would like to urge ever secretaries the recognition they deserve this error. i-""'"""' GAMECOCK Business Office: | Hole reproduction rights granted to the Associated I Press. All other material contained herein may not be I reproduced without the permission of the editor, j Opinions expressed in the Gamecock are those, tf i signed, of the writer and, if unsigned, of the editor. The Gamecock welcomes letters and columns. All letters and columns must he typewritten, triple spaced j on a 65 space line. Letters should he no longer than .'<00 words, and columns should he limited to one newsworthy subject no longer than four typed pages. Letters and columns MUST . be signed with the writer's correct name, telephone 1 ????pn?????? lM-n. | S|i|W^H|h ihe Editor s Beware iing the closing of Greene Street. Since the House is so much an integral part of the s being closed at certain hours of the day, I yor Finlay should take note of a fractured did, to take action. We lived in Charlotte, winter of 1974 or 1975 a child was killed on ng to catch a school bus at 7 a.m. Why? arlotte as a "city without sidewalks" was area. After this child was killed, the city walks along the busier streets. f Columbia as a "city of jaywalkers" after 3f my working hours since then have been ; have become a practitioner myself of the iumter and South Main T Hn f??i cArru fnr ea during the day and think that students, n their use of this method of speeding their ich! Drivers, in turn, might then exercise i light w&en pedestrians are in the lawfully PATRICIA COOK lave Benefits k Week at this university, I'd like to share women. Fraternities have been a part of 1700's. When one asks a fraternity member , tne most frequent answer is friends and e best part of being in a fraternity, but like t, we all know it goes beyond that. It is also ters and banners, workshops, personal etiquette, study hours, friendly sports anized meetings, meeting people, people antages of being inGreek organization, but ould open their minds and attempt to meet > welcome new friendships, regardless of SUSANNE ROHNER Public Relations Director Panhellenic Association ored This Week ritten urging everyone to observe National : i ecuon; National Secretary Week is this yone, especially employers to give the week, and would like to apologize for the 71249 Newsroom: 777 7181 777 3888 Production 777 2833 number, mailing address, class standing or faculty position and major. Pseudonyms are unacceptable, but the writer's name may he withheld on letter, upon request, if the circumstances warrant it. Wp reserve the right to edit columns and letters for space and style, and we reserve the right to reject any column/Or any reason. Address letters and columns to: Editorial Page liditor. Gamecock. Drawer A. (JSC, Columbia. S C. 29208. 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