Vote 'No' on Measure 2 for teens' safety

As you may know, my mother, Ann Richards, was Governor of Texas, and led a state that prides itself on its open spaces, its wildlife, and its individual freedoms. I grew up with strong, independent women and men who made their living by working hard and investing in the future.

From what I've seen in Alaska, just like in Texas, you value your independence above all else -- and believe government should stay out of the personal lives of individuals. Guided by that principle, while I'm here I'll take the opportunity to speak out against Measure 2 because no law can mandate family communication.

Parents rightfully want to be involved in their teens' lives. I have two daughters and a son, and like most parents work really hard to make sure they feel comfortable talking to my husband and me about any difficult challenge they face. And as parents, we'd all want our daughters to come to us with something as important as an unintended pregnancy.

But more than anything else, I want them to be safe.

The good news is that most of the time, parents are involved when their teens face unintended pregnancy, and many teens turn to other trusted adults in their lives as well. But for the few teens who simply can't or won't talk with their parents, this proposed law won't help. Open and honest communication between teens and their parents simply can't be mandated. Each and every family and their relationships are special and unique, and requiring government intervention in the most private affairs of Alaska's families is not the answer.

Laws like the one proposed by Measure 2 would put teens at risk. Not all teenagers in Alaska -- or anywhere -- live in homes where open and honest communication is possible. Consider a young woman who may not live with her parents; or a family situation where drug problems exist; or where physical or verbal abuse is the norm. Frightened, pregnant teens with nowhere to turn can take dangerous and scary actions.

That's why a growing number of doctors, nurses, school counselors, community leaders, clergy, the YWCA, and Planned Parenthood (the organization I'm honored to lead) are working against Measure 2. We all share the serious concern about government intrusion into families' lives, and we are also equally concerned about the health and safety of our most vulnerable teens.

The proposed governmental regulations propose an intimidating "judicial bypass" system. Let's get real -- a frightened teen who is afraid to talk to her parents is even less likely to navigate a judicial system that is intimidating and complex. Teens don't need a judge; they need compassionate support, sound information, and good medical care without delay.

Government intervention isn't the solution. The real solutions to teen pregnancy are caring adults, education that includes information about abstinence, contraception and healthy decision-making, and our commitment as parents to talk with our daughters long before they are faced with an unplanned pregnancy.

At Planned Parenthood we focus on prevention, education, and primary health care, as well as helping families decide how to plan for the families they want. That is what we should be focused on, not new government mandates that will put our families and teens at risk.

That's why it's important to vote No on Measure 2 on August 24.

Cecile Richards is president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.