It would be a wonderful thing if all pregnant teens had supportive families with open lines of communication, and a decision about a pregnancy could be made calmly around the dinner table. But many teens don't have that family support and that is part of our concern about Proposition 4, a parental notification measure on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Proposition 4 is the third initiative in three years trying to require parental notification when someone under 18 seeks to end a pregnancy.
It would require that a doctor notify parents or another relative 48 hours before performing an abortion on a girl under 18. In California, those under 18 have the same right to an abortion as an adult.
On its surface, Proposition 4 seems to provide an alternative to a desperate teen -- the right to go before a judge for a notification waiver.
But we don't think that is a reasonable option for a frightened girl, especially since she would have to provide a written statement that she had been subject to a pattern of physical, sexual or emotional abuse by her parent.
More likely, she would delay getting medical care or seek an abortion from an unscrupulous and unsafe provider. That would only worsen her circumstances.
Proposition 4 would allow parents or the teen to sue the doctor if he or she did not comply with the notification requirement. Because of this potential for costly lawsuits, the California Academy of Family Physicians opposes the initiative.
We agree with the physicians' group that parents "rightfully want to be involved in their teenagers' lives and want their daughters to come to them if they become pregnant."
But this type of communication does not exist in all families and cannot be mandated through a constitutional amendment. The state also should not be adding to the legal liabilities of doctors who would be compelled to meet the notification provisions in this initiative.
We are concerned that the notification law may increase the number of second-trimester abortions. Some teens, wary of having their parents notified, may delay decisions.
Seeking medical treatment as early as possible in these circumstances is in the best interest of all concerned.
We recommend a "no" vote on Proposition 4 on Nov. 4.
A few rules are needed to help foster a feeling of community. We encourage a free and open exchange of ideas in a climate of mutual respect, but any post that violates someone's right to use and enjoy fresnobee.com is prohibited. Before you post, please read the terms of use and obey these simple guidelines.
Here are the ground rules:
Contents of this site are © Copyright The Fresno Bee. All rights reserved.
E-Mail
Print
@Nyx.CommentBody@