10/19/2005

Girls Inc.'s Association With Planned Parenthood Criticized

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 /Christian Wire Service/ -- Douglas R. Scott, president of Life Decisions International, today called on Girls Incorporated to "end its ties to Planned Parenthood, the world's primary abortion-advocacy empire." He also urged Girls Inc.'s leadership to "immediately stop pushing a pro-abortion agenda on young girls."

"Girls Inc. presents itself as a wholesome, altruistic group that seeks to help girls grow into strong, self-confident women. While this goal appears laudable on its face, Girls Inc. is not shy about stressing its pro-abortion position and its association with Planned Parenthood."

The following text is an "Advocacy Statement" released by Girls Inc. that is titled, "Reproductive Freedom":

Girls Incorporated affirms that girls and young women should make responsible decisions about sexuality, pregnancy and parenthood.

We recognize the right of all women to choose whether, when, and under what circumstances to bear children. Reproductive freedom and responsibility are essential to other rights and opportunities, including pursuit of education, employment, financial security and a stable and fulfilling family life. Restrictions of reproductive choice are especially burdensome for young women and poor women. Girls Incorporated supports a woman's freedom of choice, a constitutional right established by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973 in Roe vs. Wade.

"You can't get any clearer than that," Scott said about the Statement. "Parents be warned: Girls Inc. is not simply an advocacy group for girls; it is an advocacy group for abortion."

Another Girls Inc. Advocacy Statement is headed "Sexuality":

Girls Incorporated encourages all girls to develop positive sexual identities and to function comfortably as responsible sexual beings. We recognize that the family is the primary source of information about sex and we help girls and young women communicate with their families about sexuality.

To make responsible decisions about sexuality, pregnancy and parenthood, girls need and have a right to sensitive, truthful sexuality education; convenient access to safe, effective methods of contraception and protection from disease; and referral to comprehensive information, counseling, clinical and other services that support their responsible decisions. We recognize that any sizable group of girls includes those who face issues related to their sexual orientation or that of a family member and who face discrimination based on this sexual orientation. Girls have a right to positive, supportive environments and linkages to community resources for dealing with issues of sexual orientation.

"It's time that adults with an agenda stop using children as their personal guinea pigs," Scott said. "Girls Inc. should stick to providing real and universally accepted tools for girls to grow up strong and proud. The so-called ‘right' to be sexually active and to kill their children will empower no one. It will simply set these young people up for a fall. And the adults at Girls Inc. will intimately be responsible for each tragedy."

Scott has called on Mattel Inc. to instruct its American Girl subsidiary to stop supporting Girls Inc. "It is not in the best interest of any corporation to get involved in such a controversial issue," Scott said. "Mattel needs to stand down and stop giving its money and corporate endorsement to Girls Inc."

Life Decisions International (LDI) is dedicated to challenging the Culture of Death, concentrating on exposing and fighting the agenda of Planned Parenthood. LDI's chief project is a boycott of corporations that fund the abortion-committing giant. To learn more about Planned Parenthood, please visit: http://www.fightpp.org/show.cfm?page=wrong