Dear editor,

In response to the pro Prop. 73 argument, I would like to challenge the notion that it is common sense to require minors to seek parental guidance and consent for an abortion. As a licensed family psychotherapist who often networks with health professionals, it is not the simple "common sense" issue that many would like to think. The teens who are likely in the predicament of being pregnant and resistant to consulting their parents are also likely to be from abusive families, and many of them have become pregnant by their father or another family member! Hence, it does not make common sense for them to seek guidance or consultation from their families. We must be careful not to project our own desires and ideals as parents of healthy kids onto the teens that might be most affected by this law. It also jeopardizes the licenses and standing of health professionals who assist these teens without the required informing (not consent) of their parents.

Furthermore, if these pregnancies do go forward to unprepared teen moms, consider the societal backdrop: just this week the U.S. Senate was poised to cut 300,000 families off food stamps and raise costs for millions of Medicaid patients. Congressional Republicans are vowing to redouble their efforts next week to slash deep cuts in vital services for the nation's poor and middle class, while handing out tax breaks to the rich. Education funds in public schools in our county and state are at an all-time low, so the neediest children are least likely to be adequately served.

Instead of slamming these teens with legislation that may leave them feeling even more abandoned, let's work to bolster the support and services that make it possible for families to get the support they need to parent healthy children who won't be likely to get into this predicament in the first place and who would find their parents approachable if they did.

Pam Burns-Clair

Napa