John W. Olver: “I rise in favor of the Castle substitute and against the Istook amendment. The Istook amendment mandates parental…”

“I rise in favor of the Castle substitute and against the Istook amendment. The Istook amendment mandates parental notification, tantamount to parental consent, for birth control services under title X. It is tough for a sexually active teenager to talk about contraception with a parent. Even for a teen who has a close, supportive relationship with her parents. For an adolescent with abusive parents, it can be downright dangerous. Because they fear parental disapproval or punishment, many teenagers will only use confidential family planning services. When parental permission is required, these teenagers tend to delay or altogether avoid, reproductive health care at great danger to themselves rather than abstain from the sexual activity that leads to children bearing children. We all would like to believe that requiring parental consent will reduce teen sexual activity. Unfortunately there is no such evidence. We all agree that family participation is ideal and title X counselors are required to encourage teen clients to talk with their families about birth control. But not all adolescents can involve their families in sexual decisions and the judicial bypass in this amendment for such teens is a farce. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the Castle substitute. It is a reasonable proposal.”