ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, March 17, 1997 TAG: 9703170017
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: A CUPPA JOE
SOURCE: JOE KENNEDY
I rode up to Blacksburg the other morning to sit down with Jim Shuler, the Democratic legislator and veterinarian, and talk about a couple of his votes from the last General Assembly session.
Both bills required minors to notify their parents before undergoing certain procedures - getting a tattoo or obtaining an abortion.
Shuler voted in favor of the tattoo bill and against the abortion bill. Both passed.
In a letter to the editor, a Christiansburg minister criticized Shuler, saying his "irrational and irresponsible" votes undermined "the sanctity of human life."
"His message is very clear," the correspondent wrote. "Tattoos are more harmful to the personal and family life of a teen-age girl and to society in general than taking the life of an unborn child." He associated Shuler's votes with the rise in juvenile crime.
Shuler met me in his small, ground-floor legislative office near Gables Shopping Center.
I asked him to explain the thinking behind his two parental-notification votes. He said he was surprised anyone tied them together, because he viewed them as entirely different.
The tattoo bill is "a preventive measure to protect minors" from the possible mistake of getting a tattoo, he said. The abortion bill is an after-the-fact measure that won't prevent teen sexual activity, teen pregnancy or even teen-age abortions.
Instead, he said, it will drive youngsters who feel they cannot talk to their parents out of state or to "back-alley" providers, or to doctors who will perform the abortion and call it something else.
I asked how he felt about people who want abortion outlawed.
A person's opinion about abortion grows out of his or her upbringing, family relationships and religious beliefs, he said. The issue is sensitive. But it's "unsettling" to see people take a "my way or no way" stance in government, religion or other areas.
"To me, it's a frightening, dictatorial situation to be in."
People deserve the right to choose, he said. He may not agree with their choices, but he will defend their right to make them.
The abortion bill includes no prevention efforts, such as education, he said. It permits a female minor to notify a judge instead of her parents, with the judge deciding whether she is capable of making the decision on her own. But how many teen-agers, Shuler asked, would follow, or even know about, that option?
The law also permits waiving of parental and judicial notification in cases of abuse or neglect or to avoid death, impairment or injury. But if a girl tells her doctor she is abused or neglected, the doctor must report her case to the state Department of Social Services for follow-up, Shuler said. That might discourage her.
Studies show that from 65 percent to 90 percent of young women "live in a home situation where they can and do discuss things," he said. But even those from open, tolerant families might keep their condition secret rather than disappoint their parents.
Shuler said he favored amendments to enable pregnant teens to notify other adult, non-resident family members. But they failed.
Some of the bill's proponents "will be the first to say it's symbolic," he said. They do not believe the law will "rectify a phenomenon that's occurred over the ages."
"I'm not advocating abortion, and I'll continue to do all I can to create an environment that will reduce abortions." But the bill that just passed "doesn't even come close to preventing abortions."
What's your story? Call me at 981-3256, send e-mail to joekxc2roanoke.com or write to P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010.
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Shuler. color.by CNB