Scarlett Johansson has spoken out on her feelings regarding Presdient Bush's conservative views on sex. She says that the president is too unrealistic in his views on the subject. She objects to teaching abstinence as the most effective means of birth control. Excuse me Ms. Johansson, but as a parent to three teenage girls, I think you are out of your freaking mind! No sex, means no chance of pregnancy or STDs.
I am all for freedoms; freedom of speech, freedom of religious choice, freedom of sexuality, etc. But, what Ms. Johansson seems to forget is that parents have a right and responsibility to know what their children are doing or having done to them. Here in Florida, a minor is not allowed to get a piercing without parental consent, a doctor cannot perform a procedure without the parents' knowledge, and school nurses cannot administer even an asprin without a note from a parent. Why then, would we consider making abortion available without parental knowledge?
Let's look at it from another perspective. Minor children -- and teenagers are considered children until they are 18 -- are not tried in the same court as adults unless the crime they commit is particulalry heinous. Parents are held responsible and liable for the actions of children until they reach age of majority. When a 16-year-old child is driving and has an accident, the parent is the one that can -- and usually is -- sued. So, I ask the question again, if parents are responsible for their children in all other things before they reach the age of 18, why would we consider letting them have abortions without parental knowledge?
Ms. Johansson is a beautiful woman and a wonderful actress, she is not an expert on social policy or the educational needs of our children. She shows her ignorance by making statements such as, "We are supposed to be liberated in America but if our President had his way, we wouldn't be educated about sex at all." President Bush does not advocate zero education on sex, he merely beleives that teaching abstinence is the smart thing to do with teenagers. And I happen to agree. I, for one, feel I am too young to be a grandparent. Sex is an adult pleasure and should be left to the adults.
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