David Harsanyi (author of a great new book about the nanny state) basically asks that question in this column about a special task force in Colorado recommending that contraception and emergency contraception be available from school nurses.  Which is an issue I’ve posted about previously.

Now, the intent of this task force is to reduce teenage pregnancy, but it seems to me that they’re going about it backward.  Rather than excluding parents from the sexual decisions their children are making by allowing those children to get contraception without a parent’s knowledge or consent, shouldn’t we be seeking to include parents in the process?  If we want kids to be responsible about their sex lives, shouldn’t parents be made aware that their kids are sexually active and seeking contraception?

And yes, I’m aware of the fact that there are bad parents out there, but are the sins of a few enough to start letting the government make parenting decisions for us?  It seems as though Americans have done just fine raising their own children for generations.

Why do we need to start putting the government in charge of this stuff now?  And who says the government is capable of doing a better job with this stuff than parents?

Handing out contraception to juveniles without parental involvement seems to me an endorsement of the idea that children are old enough to make their own decisions about sex.  Which, if true, makes you wonder why it’s not ok for a thirteen-year-old girl to decide she wants to start having sex with a 45-year-old man?  Or why it’s not ok for an 11-year-old middle school student to start driving?  Or join the military?

Kids don’t make good decisions.  That’s why they’re kids.  They’re still learning, and in order for them to learn life’s lessons well their parents (and not school administrators) need to be in charge.