Supporters believe in parents right to know

Minors have to get permission to receive an asprin at school and Prop. 85 proponents think an abortion should be no different.

By Jessica Lane
The Daily Gazette

Proponents of Prop. 85 believe it is a parent's fundamental right to know when their child is having a surgery. Photo: yeson85.net
Cardinal Roger Mahoney has been vocal about the Catholic Church's support of the initiative. Photo: npr.org

Backers of Proposition 85 feel that the issue is a no brainer. In their opinion parents have the right to know what is happening to their child, especially when it comes to medical procedures.

Supporters believe that a parent’s involvement in their child’s decision is nothing but positive.

“Who has invested more in the child’s well-being, Planned Parenthood or a family and parents who gave birth to this child…we feel it is the parents and they have a right to know,” said Astrid Bennett Guttierrez, a counselor at Los Angeles Pregnancy Services.

Guttierrez believes that the initiative is creating a safer environment for the young women involved.

Edward Maharan of the University of California College Republicans agrees. He said that minors are not mature enough to decide whether or not they should get an abortion. “It’s their body and they can do what they want…but they are not at the point where they can effectively make a choice without consulting their guardians,” he said.

Cardinal Mahoney of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is another supporter of the issue. In a message urging people to vote yes on the proposition he said, “Parents have insight into what is best for their children; they know her personal and medical history. Parents are the best ones to help a minor daughter understand all her options if she becomes pregnant. Without parental involvement, other influences can dominate.”

Proponents of the proposition feel like the initiative is about family values and will ultimately not harm the right to choose.