For those of you who haven't read up on the propositions yet, Proposition 4 is on the ballot this year in California.
The initiative prohibits abortion for unemancipated minors until 48 hours after physician notifies minor’s parent, legal guardian or, if parental abuse has been reported, an alternative adult family member.
It's also called "Sarah's Law" after a 13-year-old girl who passed away from a botched abortion after having a relationship with a 39-year-old sexual predator, Gary Cross. When she became pregnant, he took her to an abortion clinic and then resumed sexual relations with her, all without her parents' knowledge. Sarah's mom found out about the abortion after coming across related paperwork in her daughter's room.
Anti-Prop 4 arguments include the very realistic fear that more minors will opt for illegal and dangerous abortions. Communication between minors and their parents/guardians is never uncomplicated; teens probably fear that their parents would react irrationally and/or hurt them. Whether that fear is real or perceived, it affects a minor's behavior at such a crucial, traumatic moment. Another argument cited is that no law can mandate family communication; rather, it's something that has to come naturally. And what if it doesn't? Then take the lesser evil, because a safe abortion is better than an illegal one.
I am against abortion. I think it's killing an innocent being that was meant for life, if not for our intervention (ie, abortive procedure). Does this mean that I don't care about the poor minor in this traumatic situation?
Of course I care. But I think instead of figuring out ways to deal with the symptom of the problem, such as rules regarding abortion among minors, we need to concentrate really hard on figuring out ways to reduce unwanted pregnancies. Of course, they will still happen. But when they do, we need a plan. A plan that supports life--both the life of the baby and the life of its young parents (who are kids themselves). Two wrongs don't make a right; there's no real way to undo a pregnancy. Does having an abortion make a minor whose had a sexual relationship mentally sound and "over it"? I don't think so, having been through a pretty rocky decade myself at that age. It's short term relief, but the emotional wounds leave big scars you have to deal with sooner or later.
I don't have a real answer. I just know that what needs to be done is to focus on prevention, and on building a society where support systems are in place for minors who would be at risk for this kind of behavior. And when sex and unwanted pregnancy happen, there should be support for that, too. There are plenty of young people who DO choose to carry their babies to term. What makes them different? Probably less hopelessness, more of a support system, more emotional maturity. Doesn't every minor deserve that, pregnant or not?
In a way, maybe Prop 4 will help some families. I agree that it will backfire in many ways, particularly in families where communication isn't possible. I know in my own family, when I was a minor, communication definitely didn't feel AT ALL possible, so I can only imagine what it's like in families with more diverse challenges. But in those families where parents or guardians are ready to reach out and help their minor, maybe it will force-foster some needed healing. Because when a teen is pregnant and wants an abortion, clearly something isn't going right.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I like this post cuz it brings up some very genuine concerns.
1. Sarah's Law occurred in the state of Texas. I find it to be an extreme example guiding the laws for the middle. While we need to be cautious for cases such as hers the other arguments need to be weighed.
2. The underlying belief: either a person is pro-choice or pro-life. I believe that if you are pro-choice only further consideration of this proposition needs to be considered.
3. Parental involvement: there are assumptions inherent in the presentation of this law: that an teen won't consider talking to her parents, that a physician will not hold that conversation and discuss the risks & benefits and that it is a no questions asked procedure.
4. Most teens are so petrified, unless it was intentional and that point is obsolete, they want support of trustworthy adults. Sometimes it is a parent, sometimes it BECOMES the parent after initial shock wears off, often times it is the physician.
5. By passing a law, we are telling our teens that, "if you come to me I'm telling your parents." When the fear overrides they will not come to physicians (who often encourage parental contact and provide a buffer through the shock and fear of being pregnant)and they may or maynot come to parents.
6. There's an increased likelihood they will seek an illegal abortion or prolong addressing the issue until they show at 4-5 months (no prenatal care and passed the time for safe abortion).
I believe this are, in fact, the REAL risks to weigh. These statistics of teen pregnancy and poor outcomes are astonishing: http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/AdolescentReproHealth/
Lastly, I think you are right on about preventative care. However, I sidestep it at this time because that is not a part of this proposition, had it been the proposition carry more value to me.
Thank you for posting a blog about a very important issue Farah
Post a Comment