ALRANZ: Don't Condom Adolescent Male Responsibility for Reproductive and Sexual Health

"I do have some sympathy for Richard McGrath's observations about the withdrawal method. There's an old pro-choice warcry that goes "XY or Z, Withdraw, That's What Your Father Should Have Done!" Craig Young, ALRANZ National Research Officer responded to the latest Libertarianz press release.

"However, I'm afraid that we must disagree with Richard McGrath again on reproductive and sexual health. In an ideal world with universal open communication between parents and children, contraception could be freely discussed and provided."

"Unfortunately, apart from the excellent example of the Leader of the Opposition and likeminded responsible parents, this doesn't always happen. I suspect Dr.Mc Grath has different ideas about individual responsibility, rights and the development of reasoning skills than we do. For us, it is logical that young people should be able to go to other adults, with medical skills and prophylactic supplies, if they want to become sexually active. Whether this occurs within school-based clinics or FPA clinics is up to Boards of Trustees. However, if young men are willing to take responsibility for their partners and not expose young women to risks from STDs, HIV or unwanted pregnancies and associated health risks- good on them."

"It's a woman's right to control her own body, and it's a man's responsibility to control his."

Craig Young National Research Officer ALRANZ ph 06 3569099 ext 7750

Dr Margaret Sparrow National President ALRANZ ph 04 4759886

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