Proposition 4 states that parental or legal family guardian consent is necessary for a minor to have an abortion.
Many opponents of Proposition 4 claim that young girls will fall prey to their abusive parents who do not approve of their daughter’s pregnancy. This does not reveal the whole story about Proposition 4, which actually is relatively open if you read the whole proposition.
Proposition 4 states that if the girl puts in writing that she has been physically, sexually or emotionally abused by either parent, the girl can notify another adult family member, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, stepparent, foster parent, sibling, half-sibling or even a cousin over the age of 21. The doctor can still notify that family guardian the same way that they would a parent. The doctor also may report the abuse to welfare authorities who are there to provide any help that the girl needs.
Many people do not know that Proposition 4 also has another name: Sarah’s Law. An article written last week (“Prop. 4 may drive teen girls to abort illegally,” Oct. 15) brought up a hypothetical scenario about a girl named Sally who was afraid of abuse from the parents if they were notified about the pregnancy. Since we are playing the name game here with Sally, let me tell you a true story about a girl named Sarah. In February of 1994, 15-year old Sarah visited an abortionist in the A-to-Z Women’s Services clinic in Houston, Texas and had a legal abortion done without her parent’s knowledge. This abortion, though done legally, resulted in a torn cervix that led to further complications which ultimately took her life. Her parents were among the last to know.
So why is it that in California a girl under the age of 18 cannot, according to the YesOn4.net, get an aspirin from the school nurse, a tan at the tanning salon, or a cavity filled by a dentist without parental consent, yet she does not need parental consent for a doctor to perform a surgical or chemical abortion on her? What about all the well-meaning parents like Sarah’s who are not abusive and simply want to know what their children are getting themselves into, so the parents can be there to advise them?
Even from a scientific perspective, basic studies of the brain show that the frontal lobe of the child does not fully develop until early adulthood. Since the frontal lobe is used for making executive decisions, and this part is not fully developed in a minor, this child will be making important decisions which they may later regret. That is why guidance from a parental figure is often needed when children are faced with important medical decisions that may affect their life.
Lastly, there are at least 34 states ““ red and blue ““ that have similar parental-involvement laws, and there is no credible evidence that a minor has resorted to illegal abortions specifically because of this type of law. These laws have been in effect for decades and these are simply the facts. These red and blue states also have reported an overall decrease in both abortions and sexually transmitted diseases among young girls. Let’s make California one of them. And please: Read the whole proposition before you vote.
Kappadakunnel is a fourth-year psychobiology student.