The phrase “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child” represented communities unified to build schools, serve on school boards, carpool to activities, fundraise, provide after school care, and even chauffeur kids home when temporarily forgotten by parents. Back in its conception, parents didn’t fear exclusion from the village. If Proposal 5 is approved by the voters of Vermont, parents will be excluded from overseeing their minor children regarding personal reproductive rights. Proposal 5 will transfer parental rights to a world of unknown adult influencers hidden in the world of confidentiality.
Proposal 5 violates parental rights and responsibilities as described and upheld by the Vermont Supreme Court in 1998, “Parental rights and responsibilities are defined as those ‘rights and responsibilities related to a child’s physical living arrangements, parent child contact, education, medical and dental care, religion, travel, and any other matter involving a child’s welfare and upbringing.’ Id. § 664(1). Rights and responsibilities are comprised of ‘physical responsibility,’ and ‘legal responsibility,’ defined as ‘the rights and responsibilities to determine and control various matters affecting a child’s welfare…includ[ing] but… not limited to education, medical and dental care, religion and travel arrangements.’ Id. § 664(1)(A).”