scherzo, on 30 September 2012 - 01:39 PM, said:
Quote
I'm torn between two ideas. On the one hand, I can sympathize with the children who are forced to undergo therapy that 1]won't work and 2] denies them the right to be individuals with the freedom to choose. I also recognize it is a hot issue and passions run strong... The protection of minors is a compelling state interest. And, I believe conversion therapy is something no child should be exposed to.
Still, [and here is where I share your concern scherzo], I don't like parental right's being eroded even further. I'm of the opinion that the state has encroached on parental right's to the point that parents no longer can have much control over their own families and their children. Some parents may be ignorant and even abusive, but a law that outlaw the choices of ALL parents is not a baby step in my opinion. It's a giant step, and not for the good.
I'm still outraged at the idea of minors being able to get an abortion without parental notification. I understand the reasoning that some parents are abusive SOME parents are. But to pass a law for ALL parents is just beyond the pale. Every teenager is going to claim their parents are going to be upset at an abortion. Why? Because they are parents. But only a few would be actually abusive. A minor has to have parental permission to get him/her ears pierced, but for an abortion parents can be kept in the dark? Seriously?
And, I definitely would not like this to be outlawed for adults. Adults have the right to choose, even if that choice is only the product of denial and/or wishful thinking. Let me be clear I don't approve of any part of conversion therapy. It's not a therapy, it's a brainwashing IMO, and does real and irreparable harm. But, adults make bad decisions all the time regarding their health and well being. Liquor, tobacco, bad diets, Cults, etc.. just to name a few? None of these are illegal and they all do permanent harm.
Like I said, I'm torn between two competing interests. The state encourages family values, intact families, and parental responsibility, and yet dictates the terms of those values to some families.