Check out Laura Frankel’s watch on all issues and propositions related to our right to choose.  Click here.

Posted September 12, information on Prop. 4 on California’s ballot.

“Proposition 4, legally named Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy is an initiative that, if passed, would change California’s constitution. It is worth noting, however that many propositions that go to voters in California are in the form of amendments to the constitution, and it is not at all on the same level with amending the federal constitution. In this election alone, there are three other constitutional amendments on the ballot. If passed, the initiative would prohibit abortion for un-emancipated minors until 48 hours after a doctor has notified the minor’s parent or legal guardian. If there is REPORTED child abuse (i.e. incest/molestation/rape) then exceptions can be made—but these exceptions, it is worth noting, require a judicial hearing and permission of a judge. Most experts who understand youth cultures and the psychology of rape/incest/molestation, or anyone with children and/or common sense, understand that this initiative is not a way to get parents notified about their daughters choices, but is, in effect, a ban on abortion for minors. Supporters of the initiative would argue that this is in fact the point; if you eliminate abortion for minors then you eliminate teen pregnancy by eliminating sex—the theory being that girls under 18 are only sexually active because they know they can simply attain an abortion if necessary. This, however, remains to be seen, and is both infantilizing and paternalistic…in my opinion, of course.”