In every healthy society, there is a shared understanding that children deserve protection, guidance, and care. They are not political pawns, nor are they equipped to make irreversible decisions that will affect them for the rest of their lives. Yet increasingly, our culture places the burden of adult choices on minors — particularly in matters involving life, identity, and medical intervention.

As a pro-life advocate and concerned community member, I believe we must return to a foundational moral truth: Our responsibility is to protect the most vulnerable among us, not rush them into life-altering paths they may not fully understand. This conviction has led me to work toward introducing a Child Protection and Pro-Life Safeguard Act, rooted in care, restraint and respect for human dignity.

From the moment a child exists — born or unborn — life holds inherent value. That value is not determined by convenience or cultural trends, but by the simple fact that life itself is sacred. When protections for unborn children are weakened, or irreversible medical decisions for minors are normalized, we send a troubling message that some lives deserve less care and safeguarding than others.

The purpose of this Act is not to punish or marginalize, but to protect. True compassion means patience, wisdom, and guidance — allowing children the time to grow and parents to remain their primary advocates. Upholding life and safeguarding children should not be controversial; it should be our moral baseline.

Kiara Johnson

Altoona