Paly students and staff reacted with varied responses when California voters rejected Prop. 4, the statewide measure that, if passed, would have required doctors to notify the parents of a minor seeking an abortion at least 48 hours before the procedure.
The state was almost evenly divided, with 48 percent of Californians supporting the proposition and 52 percent voting against it.
The Paly community also reflected these split views with diverse opinions about the dismissal of the proposition.
Some students and teachers expressed their satisfaction that the proposition was not passed, saying that, if it had, minors who would not wish to inform an adult might turn to unsanctioned methods to abort a pregnancy.
“I’m glad it was not passed,” junior Kathy Woo said. “People who are willing to tell their parents will still do so regardless of what it says in the state constitution, so Prop. 4 would only hurt people who are afraid to tell or who feel as if they’re in danger. Someone who really wants to end her pregnancy might resort to dangerous measures, which is much worse than going to a doctor.”
Other students, including junior Kathleen Higgins and sophomore Janet Liu, felt that requiring guardian notification and a waiting period would violate a teenager’s privacy and basic freedom.
“I think it’s important that this proposition was not passed,” Higgins said. “It’s dangerous for teenagers, and it’s disrespectful.”
Liu voiced a similar opinion.
“I don’t think there needs to be parental notification,” Liu said. “It’s a person’s right to choose to keep a baby or not.”
Science teacher Ron Pruzan agreed that the measure would only complicate an already sensitive and controversial issue.
“I did not support the initiative,” Pruzan said. “It wouldn’t be a good situation for someone in that position who felt she couldn’t inform her parents.”
Though many members of the Paly community disagreed with Prop. 4, some were undecided or supported the measure because they either opposed abortion or believed that notifying an adult before abortion is in the interest of a minor’s safety.
“I actually think Prop. 4 should have passed,” freshman Allen Wu said. “I don’t really see the point in not letting your parents know.”
Sophomore Pierre Bourbonnais saw no negative effects of the proposition, and also disagrees with the practice of abortion.
“Abortion should be banned altogether,” Bourbonnais said.
Junior Michelle Tran summed up a common opinion by taking a more moderate stance and finding valid points in both perspectives.
“Parents deserve to at least know because you’re still a minor,” Tran said, “but it depends on the circumstances and on what kind of parents you have.”