Public School Helps Girl Get Abortion

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by jdrama

I remember when we had our first freshman orientation in high school, they separated the girls and guys. The nurse told us females that if we think we are pregnant any time we are there, to come to her and she'd give us a pregnancy test. Ok.. so I'm like free pregnancy tests? Convenient for the little whores. Now next she says, "If you are pregnant and want to discuss your options, come talk to me as well. We have a program that picks you up during your first class of the day and brings you back to school by 5th period."

Again, I'm thinking... how convenient to get your prenatal care and doctor's appointment during school hours for the lil whores. But then she hits us with "If you choose to terminate your pregnancy, you have to have the money for the termination" and they STILL take you! I was amazed but I thought all public schools did that in my area.

Setting womankind back one post at a time.

[RU OX Alum]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Not exactly...her identity has not been revealed

yeah but it's high school, it's not like people won't put it together

[deepimpact2]

I don't get why parents should be outraged either. (saying that in reference to the opening paragraph of the article)

If people that age don't require consent from parents to get an abortion, even if the school did send her off to do it, so what? I admit I don't know the law on that, but if she asked for their help, I'm not exactly sure what would prevent them from helping her. I could only see an issue if she required parental consent for the abortion.

As far as leaving school without consent, I can't see the school facing a heavy punishment over that. They will probably face a reprimand, but that's about it.

[AGDee]

I'm seeing a big difference between a school and a clinic HOUSED in a school, which is run by a third party. They are not one entity from what I can tell. The clinic which happens to be housed in the school but which is a private clinic, very well may have called a cab and written the girl a doctor's note to miss class, just like another doctor might do if they referred someone to a specialist.

[VandalSquirrel]

I'm completely speculating here, but I was once a teenage girl and can't imagine being in that situation and telling my mom or da. I knew they wouldn't hate me, kick me out, or force me to have or not have an abortion or adoption. If this is her's mother response, I'd imagine I'd talk to the school nurse as well instead of my mom.

Completely hyperbolic, but there hasn't been an outraged father mentioned, what if the girl was sexually assaulted by her mother's boyfriend or a step-father? Even if that's not the case there is so much shame and other emotional issues I can't imagine what she was going through if she had been sexually assaulted by a stranger or someone she knows.

As for leaving the school I could ahve walked out at lunch or the passing period with no question as we had many students who took classes not offered at our site at other high schools or the community college. My parents never had to sign me out and a note was just for the teachers who would have done an unexcused absence or were sticklers.

Did they really call her a cab? Don't the majority of teenagers have a cell phone, so maybe they provided a phone numer to XYZ cab company. I'm more concerned that she had a medical procedure and that no one went with her. I can only hope that detail wasn't mentioned and she did have someone who kept an eye on her afterwards since it is an outpatient medical procedure and even with a local there could be some bleeding issues.

[jdrama]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Does "lil whores" also apply to the boys who are having sex, or can they not be whores because they can't be the ones getting pregnant and seeking an abortion? People should not interpret the sexual activity of girls and boys differently just because they can have different outcomes.

I was definitely in the minority when I wasn't a sexually active high schooler. But, I also knew that not all of the girls and boys who were sexually active were "whores." Some of them were in what they considered long term and loving relationships (a child's version, of course). I don't agree with it, but I'm not surprised by it. A very sexual society such as this need not be confused as to why children want to "join in on the fun;" and also why many children see love and sex as synonymous. Parental supervision and the socialization of morality only goes but so far if children are curious about what all the hooplah is about. I knew girls back in the 80s and 90s who got pregnant or an STD after their first time--and some of them used condoms. It sucks that they were labeled whores while the boys got to escape the label and stigma.

I was 14. Again, this was my freshman year in high school so yeah, I said they were little whores. And in honestly, I only know 2 girls who got abortions during high school. It seemed that everyone else were popping out their kids. And sorry to say but the guys weren't labeled at all. It's not right but its life. Especially high school!

[Boodleboy322]

Wow - I can't believe that this type of stuff occurs. The Conservatives and Catholic Church would tear this case up. First of all, if the child is out having sex while living in the parent's house then it should be addressed to the parents or move out. I understand that rape is possible but even in that case the parent should still know. This is crazy.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by jdrama

I was 14. Again, this was my freshman year in high school so yeah, I said they were little whores. And in honestly, I only know 2 girls who got abortions during high school. It seemed that everyone else were popping out their kids. And sorry to say but the guys weren't labeled at all. It's not right but its life. Especially high school!

Huh? Nevermind.

[SWTXBelle]

I wish we had someone to speak to what is contained in Washington law. I am surprised that a child can leave campus without permission - ours can't go ANYWHERE without a permission slip - even my 17 year old.

[WinniBug]

This story makes my stomach hurt.
:-(

[thetygerlily]

This is an editorial (ran yesterday in the Seattle Times) but it addresses several of the questions that have come up, including sharing exerpts of the parental consent form for the health clinic. The issues of providing transportation & this all occuring during school hours is not addressed.


THE public reaction to the story of a 15-year-old Ballard High School student who got an abortion shouldn't compromise the important roles of school-based health clinics and medical privary rules.

Facts threaten to be eclipsed by political grandstanding about choice. Seattle Public Schools does not run the clinics. Health centers located at 14 city schools are run by private providers and three by Public Health Seattle & King County.

Swedish Medical Center runs the Ballard location. Health workers at the clinic gave the girl the information she needed to obtain an abortion and a referral — actions well within the clinic's medical and legal purview.

Washington is one of a handful of states without parental consent or notification laws. Minors may receive an abortion and abortion-related services without consent of a parent, guardian or the father of the child.

Privacy is critical for open and honest communication between medical practitioners and patients. Victims of incest or rape may be less likely to seek help if they knew their parents would be informed.

At school-based clinics, parents or legal guardians must sign a consent form before services requiring parental consent are provided. And for services not requiring parental consent, the form is crystal clear:

"Youth may independently access reproductive health care at any age; they may independently receive drug and alcohol services and mental health counseling from age thirteen. If necessary, the Centers will inform youth of options for outside care and will assist the youth in discussing these issues with parents/guardians."

Another passage deals directly with reproductive health. "I understand the youth's consent is legally required for release of information about the following kinds of diagnoses and treatment: pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV/AIDS testing), and alcohol and drug or mental health counseling."

Anger at the school district and health-care workers is misdirected. The girl was provided a safe and confidential haven.

Too bad a young girl's mistake is now a volley in debates about choice and parental rights.

[FHwku]

Originally Posted by thetygerlily

Minors may receive an abortion and abortion-related services without consent of a parent, guardian or the father of the child.

that bothers me a lot.