Letter to the Editor
Abortion law endangers young women
November 5, 2009
At first glance, parental involvement laws--either notification or consent--for abortion do seem like common sense measures in the best interest of young women. But, with a little more consideration and analysis, we know that's not how the world works. Parental involvement laws can put young women at risk after a pregnancy is disclosed. A 16-year-old woman had no previous history of physical abuse. Yet when her brother and father discovered her pregnancy, they beat her severely.
What's more, the Tribune's statement that young women "lack the maturity" to make such a decision greatly undermines youth, to say the least. Maturity does not always correlate to chronological age. Moreover, adults have an obligation, first and foremost, to provide young women and men with information, skills, and resources to make responsible decisions about their sexual health. Then, we need to trust them; trust that they will inform a family member or close adult and, if not, that they have a compelling reason.
The Illinois Parental Notice of Abortion Act is certainly not a "sensible, temperate law" that offers an "intelligent middle ground" to the abortion debate, as the Tribune claims. Putting young women in harm's way is not, to most people, a matter of common sense.
Soo Ji Min
Executive Director
Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health
