Rejected by ST Forum
Law not in tune with family values
I agree with Low Kwek Leong's article (ST 19/10/2000). However, I will like to add some further points on this issue.
The government has asserted that the family is the foundation of Singapore's process of nation building and sense of identity. Yet the laws of MOH seem to indicate that the heads (both father and mother) should not know if their daughter was to have an abortion. How does one reconcile this with the promotion of family values?
Family values mean building trusting and enduring relationships among all members. Concerned parents, no matter how much of a loss of face it could mean in our society, would want to know and support their daughters during the terrible ordeal. Parents have the right to know as it is only natural.
In fact, I would like to know the moral basis of this law. It seems that a teenage lady between the age of 18 and 21 who wants to get married needs to have her parents' consent together with two other witnesses. If she was to be below 18 years then she would need a special marriage license. In this sense, if marriage requires parents consent, how is it when we come to the issue of abortion, the state usurps the role of parents. For example, who takes responsibility when a teenager suffers psychological problems after the abortion. Where does the state's responsibility end, and the parents' responsibility begin? On what basis does the state act as a "guardian" for the teenage girl?
The issue of teenage ladies going to "quacks" for abortions is a serious problem that should not be overlooked. We do not want to lose two lives.
Yet the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Community Development and Sports must come up with an action plan for a successful nation wide sex education program for both parents and teenagers. Community centres, civic groups and civil society groups should also pitch in to help educate the masses. Issues of teenage pregnancies must be understood by all Singaporeans at all levels. Education is the best weapon. The issue of "quacks" can be fought through education but let us not continue with laws that poke at the very foundation of our country's future-our families.
Anbarasu Balrasan
I was reading on the article on teen abortions written by C.Rodricks, in which it was said that parents should be consulted, as parents are called in even for minor offences, let alone serious matter like abortion. As a teenager myself, I would like to ask all parents. How much do you all know about your own children? You all can say that you all were once teenagers, but let me tell you, the world is always changing and we teenagers always face with new problems. If the Law allows sex at the age of 16, shouldn't we have to right to face the problems ourselves after eating to forbidden fruit? Going for abortion isn't something to be proud of, it does have a great impact on the female teens. If parents were be to notified, how many parents would you think would really "consult" their children? I'm not saying being scolded after doing wrong things aren't right, but doing things at the wrong time and wrong place can added to stressfulness to the female teens. Every teenager is born different. Have any of you ever thought of it that some of them might not be able to cope with the stress and would just end their lives? If the teenagers felt that their parents should know of their problems, he will tell their parents on their own.
Jason Tan, Student