To the editor:

I am a fairly new mother. I have a 10-month-old. After reading the story about Atty. Gen. Phill Kline’s recent opinion, I was rather irritated. I started having sex when I was 14 and I will admit that it probably wasn’t the smartest thing I had ever done, but it was my choice. I knew that it was illegal to be doing, but I didn’t care. I thought it was cool because all my friends had done it.

What I don’t understand is why Mr. Kline is trying to enforce something that no one will listen to. I may not like abortion but I understand why certain people do it. A lot of people who have abortions (that are under 18) are forced by their parents. And some have to or it can kill them. The others just don’t want to take responsibility for their actions, and that I understand having a problem with.

When it comes to kids having sex before they’re 16, the best we can do is teach them about birth control and abstinence. A lot of people don’t know how to properly use a condom! If the parents would teach these things we would have a lot less unwanted children. And you can’t just teach it to the girls because half the time it’s the guys who are talking the girls into doing it.

I will admit, if I could turn back time, I wouldn’t have but at least my parents had the guts to talk to me and teach me about safe sex. There is nothing we can do about underage sex, all we can do is try to educate them about it.

Misty Evans,

Lawrence