The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, April 19, 1982, Page Page 6, Image 6
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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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~? 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.
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GAMECOCK
Business Office:
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1
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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
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