Yet Another Curb on Abortion

Last Thursday Republicans chose a very interesting way to mark International Women's Day. The Judiciary Committee in the Republican- controlled House had a hearing in order to promote the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act bill. Some memebers of the party argued that it is both an "attack on women’s rights and on the basic principles of federalism. "

In the United States there are already 32 States that require teenagers to consult with their parents and get their permission before getting an abortion. The bill would not only expand this to other states but also make it mandatory for teenagers to notify thier parents as well as a 24 hour waiting period on women under the age of 18 who are traveling outside of their homestate in order to recieve this abortion procedure.

Anyone who wants to help these teenagers who are not a legal gardian and are not in the presence of a justice official will be charged a fine. That would include aunts, uncles, grandparents, and older siblings. They would charged with criminal and civil penalties and up to a year in prison, as well as a fine of $100,000.

Also under the threat of these same criminal and civil penalties, doctors would also be force to undergo these same penalties. They would have to deal with the various state laws and any others that deal with the provider of the home state, as well as some measure that may or may not be taken by the Senate.

Everyone would agree that young teenage girls who are caught in these circumstances are left with a difficult decision from an experience that is most times unwanted and unplanned. Should these same girls be encouraged to talk to one or even both of their parents about their decision on abortion or would simply going to another adult be enough. With some teenagers being afraid to tell their parents for fears of violent reactions, broken home communication or other personal mental and emotional reasons is it still okay for these children to be forced into notifying their parents.

(http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/13/opinion/yet-another-curb-on-abortion.html)