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Editors, Daily Planet: 

I am a female student at Berkeley High School. I am writing about my strong disapproval of Proposition 73. As I’m sure you know, Prop. 73 states that before an abortion can be given, a minor’s parents must be contacted and there must be a 48-hour lag period. In my opinion, this proposition is unfair, dangerous and very biased. No female wants her parents to know that she’s having sex, let along that she’s pregnant. 

Confidential abortions help many teenagers get out of an “unwanted” situation. I know three teens who have gotten abortions. When I confronted them about the idea of notifying their parents, they had this to say: “That’s crazy! My parents tell me all the time if I get pregnant I would be dead or kicked out.” 

Prop. 73 is dangerous because many teens will get illegal abortions or try to harm themselves to have a miscarriage. In addition, this is a biased proposition because parents are voting! And what parent do you know who’s gonna say they wouldn’t want to know if their child was getting an abortion. 

So basically Prop. 73 is very unfair to teens such as myself. I hope my letter will persuade your vote and many others. 

Tiara Swearington 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Proposition 73 is not subject to enough debate. By this I mean that there is not enough voter awareness of this controversial issue. Prop. 73 states that “a physician shall not perform an abortion upon a pregnant unemancipated minor until after the physician . . . has provided written notice to a parent or guardian . . . and a reflection period of at least 48 hours has elapsed.” 

This proposition raises many unanswered questions. For instance, what happens if a pregnant girl is too scared to have her parents find out that she’s having a baby and goes underground to get an abortion from unqualified people? Or maybe she is uncertain of her parents’ reaction and delays the abortion decision, making it more dangerous to have the operation as each day passes?  

These are just some of the questions raised by this proposition. The bottom line is, are we helping teenage girls with this proposition or are we merely putting them in more danger? The worst part about Prop. 73 is that not enough people know about it to think it through clearly; they are likely to vote yes just because it looks better on paper. 

As a student at Berkeley High School, I know that sometimes people make bad decisions. And when someone makes a wrong decision or is affected by someone else’s bad decision, should you help them, or make matters worse? 

Daron Lin 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I am a freshman at Berkeley High, and I am writing because I do not agree with Proposition 73. 

Proposition 73 states that in order for a girl under 18 to get an abortion, she must notify her parent/guardian 48 hours in advance. This proposition may sound like a good idea. Parents rightfully want to be involved in their teenager’s lives and to be included if there is a crisis, for example, an unplanned pregnancy. But you have to consider the girl’s safety. They may be afraid of being physically harmed or disowned. Girls who don’t tell their parents might even get back-alley abortions.  

This law isn’t helping anybody but the parents/guardians. Everybody under 18, who it actually affects, doesn’t have a say in it. All we can do is explain our thoughts on the situation and hope we sway enough voters in our favor. 

Ian Stewart 

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