The contentious issue which had online readers locked in a war of words and an exchange of ideas this past week was Minister of Health Donville Inniss’ plan to make it legal for teens under 18 to have access to reproductive and health care without their parents’ permission.
Some readers felt that Inniss was going too far and taking away the rights and authority of parents.
Others believed that with some young people starting sexual activity early in their teenage lives, the minister was on the right path.
Then, when Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners president Dr Carlos Chase spoke of the “potentially explosive” legislation and National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations head Rhonda Blackman suggested that the age of sexual consent be raised to 18, the debate intensified.
These are some of the online comments.
Payell Garcia: “This argument is somewhat ludicrous considering that children are physically maturing faster than before, and most of them are sexually active from around age 13 . . . .
“It should remain as it is for the time being and if there is going to be any change, it should be to lower the age rather than raise it, in light of the maturation factor and universal access to information via the Internet and other media which were not present decades ago . . . .
“Raising the age will only mean that society will be burdened with an overwhelming [number] of statutory rape cases to put additional pressure on an already overburdened judicial system.”
Nikki Brown: “How ridiculous can you get? Raise the age of consent because you are so afraid of your children seeing the doctor without your knowledge? However, these same people were not so afraid that their children were or are having sex without [their] knowing . . . .”
Leonard Bee: “Perhaps BAMP should be instructing their doctors to handle some cases, but not others. A young teenager should have the freedom to speak to a professional about birth control and other private matters without the consent of a parent.
“Abortions and other procedures are another matter. However, we should be very careful that we do not chase these youngsters underground to have consultations with quacks. If my child does not want to deal with me on a very private matter, I would be somewhat relieved to know that a professional is the alternative instead of a back-room quack . . . .”
Annetta Worrell: “Thank you, Dr Carlos Chase, for having the insight, knowledge and understanding to know what can happen to our teens if they are allowed to see a doctor without their parents’ consent. As you asked, will we now have a free-for-all, with anyone taking underage girls to the doctor to get abortions and treatment for STDs without their parents’ knowledge . . . ?”