Letters to the Editor
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Judicial Bypass
I disagree. Parental notification laws can place a minor living in an abusive situation in danger. "Other repercussions" may seem broad, but the fear about such repercussions among teens is real. Other repercussions could mean being kicked out of the home, or being ostracized and emotionally abused. Whatever the "other repercussions" are, they can be devastating enough to force teens to hide their pregnancy, or perform an unsafe abortion on themselves. (Wire hangers, anyone?)
Some may argue that in such cases a minor has the option to obtain a judicial bypass. A judicial bypass is a Constitutionally mandated alternative, where you go in front of a judge, and tell him/her why you want an abortion, and s/he will determine if you're mature enough to make that decision.
After reading many family law cases in law school, I found many judges to be completely arbitrary in deciding whether a minor was sufficiently "mature" enough to make such a decision. They would often state that the minor was too young, and therefore not mature enough to make such a decision. No explanation was offered as to why he or she came to that conclusion. It was simply stated as fact. It was maddening to read such cases, and my heart broke for these young women.
My question is - if a young woman is not mature enough to decide whether to have an abortion, then how on earth is she mature enough to have a baby?