Why Parental Notification is a Bad Idea
Protect Teen Safety: Vote No on Prop. 4! For the third time, we face a ballot measure which would endanger teens by mandating parental notification 48 hours in advance of a minor terminating a pregnancy. Parents rightfully want to be involved in their teenagers' lives, and the good news is that most teens do go to their parents when faced with an unintended pregnancy. But in the real world, parental notification laws do not work. No law can mandate family communication. Don't be fooled by Prop. 4's inclusion of an "alternative family member notification" in this initiative. Prop 4 is not about "family involvement." Family notification is no more than a state-scripted form letter sent to another relative who may not live in the same town or state. Prop 4 contains no requirement for counseling and no requirement that the notified adult help a teen when she is in crisis. Prop 4 puts our most vulnerable teenagers in harm’s way. To put it more bluntly, forced family notification is a lie. Right now, a scared pregnant teen can already go to a trusted aunt or an older sister. This law would close that option to her because, under Prop 4, if the teen chooses to go to another adult, her parents would be automatically reported to authorities and an investigation would ensue. Visit www.NoOnProp4.org for more information.
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