I can understand the concerns of both sides.
Our children grew the time of the Year of the Child. Returning from school they would inform us that we could not tell them to do this or that etc., "We have rights".
I agreed they had rights but also informed them that with any right, was also a responsibility.
If they wanted to live within society there were also rules respecting the rights of others? They too had rights and responsibilities?
Unfortunately the rights and responsibilities of parents have been eroded away by so-called do-gooders and social workers.
As a result we have a confused and angry society, appearing not to know what to do. It blames others rather than accepting responsibility for decisions.
A lot of adults, marrying, have never learnt that a successful marriage includes a lot of compromise from both sides. Individuals may do things our own way but in a partnership we need to consider the opposite member of the partnership.
Thankfully our own children grew up to be responsible and to consider others.
Once a child has turned 13-14 year old, sometimes younger, without a good parental role model can find themselves in a situation where peer pressure will make decisions.
At least there has been an attempt to protect the child. I would rather the 14 year did not feel the pressure of needing contraception. However, I would much prefer the child continue to grow up from childhood into adulthood, enjoying every moment until they mature into adulthood.
The pressure on parents to have two income (or more) means that children are frequently left without supervision, becoming literally "latch key kids"; parents leaving early in the morning and returning late at night. There is very little of role models for the children to emulate. Like Topsy from Uncle Tom's Cabin who "Just growed up", they just grow up. What can we expect when society’s emphasis is on gathering assets?

I see ‘knuckles’, our resident Neanderthal, has taken to editing and rearranging what I say, instead of quoting me and making his own original statements.

Well at least he is starting from a point a reason, sure as hell, he would not have that if he relied on his own ‘creativity’.

But knuckles does not want creativity, he loathes it, someone might draw a “naughty bit” and outrage knuckles’ pet hamster….

“Also, drivers of fast cars do not target children.” no they are murderously indiscriminate, as far as that goes.

Concerning “And most people in our civilized community do not revile those who like or are good at driving fast cars.”

Obviously, the subtlety of the sentence went right over knuckles strangely prominent forehead…

Bugger .. . . apologies folks... that last one ended up on the wrong thread

Why should we be surprised? We have been dumb enough to allow the social engineers to tell us smacking kids is violence. Hence we have ended up with many spoilt brats full of drugs who have never had a smack in their life and are now committing more violence than ever before.

Dear Banjo,

I also did not see that "Today Tonight," program.

However, I did google several websites to
catch up on the story.

It is an emotive issue, and I can understand
the parents being upset, at first.
However, this issue should not be about
them, and their rights. This issue is about
their daughter, and her rights.

The school's first responsibility is
the welfare of the child, as Bronwyn pointed out.
There are also privacy laws involved., that the school
is obliged to obey.
The school is within it's rights to
act, if they believe that a child is at risk.

The nurse in question did not prescribe
anything, she merely sent the girl to a GP.
Which was the correct thing to do under the
circumstances.

The issue this case raises however is, why the girl
didn't feel comfortable talking to her parents
about going on the pill?

The message from all this
would be to open the lines of communication with
your kids. Explain to them that the pill does not
guarantee safe sex. Educate your children about
sexually transmitted diseases and safe sex.

This incident could be used as a teachable moment.
We would all, I'm certain, prefer girls to seek
advice on contraception to being pregnant.

Instead of being shocked by this incident, it
should be a "wake-up" call for the parents.
Don't alienate your children.
Sit down and actually talk to them.
It's not your rights that matter here,
it's their future - and the kind of relationship
that you want to have with them.
That's what matters.
Praise your daughter for having had the courage to
act as a responsible adult.
Take her initiative and give her the support
she needs.

Foxy,
I think the issue is about the rights of the parents. No privacy law should exist that gives a right for a child to keep matters from the parents.

What if the child was a boy who had a body piercing that became infected or a STI? Would your opinion change then?

If a medical professional(the school nurse) is of the opinion that the parents are not acting in the best interests of the child, DOCS should intervene. The parents should be notified.