Alaska Voices

Voices of Alaskans

Many Alaskans have taken time to write us and share personal experiences that have led them to strongly support enactment of a law to require parental involvement in a teenage girl's abortion decision.

The following are excerpts from some of the testimonials we have received. (Individual names have been omitted to respect privacy).

Teenager Needed a Parent's Wisdom

"I am so thankful that 30 years ago my mother told me that abortion was not an option when I found out I was pregnant at 16 years of age.  Of all my options I had, I am so greatful to my mom that she was there to help guide me with making the right decision. As a teenager I needed the guidance of a person with life experiences to help me make a decision that would affect me for the rest of my life."

Facing an abortion decision alone

"I know too many young girls, under the age of 17, who faced an abortion alone. All of them have loving parents that would have supported them and their child. The women now older with children have come forth to their parents with the choice they felt they had to make on there own.  They now have to live with that choice. Many have suffered severe depression, and are learning to cope after 15 years."

Let me protect my children

"Those under 18, I believe, should be in the care and nurture of their parents, who most often times, have their children's best interest at heart, and can guide them through adolescence, having been their themselves, helping them to avoid harmful decisions both to themselves and others (including an unborn baby).  Help me to be the best parent I can be by giving me the right to guide my children through their adolescent years as best as possible.  Let me help them have as few regrets as possible.  Let me protect them from things that are harmful and hurtful."