 "Photo: Lauren Swann / Staff Photographer")
Teenage pregnancy is always a sobering problem in the U.S. and the world. California has high teen pregnancy rates, so it is no wonder that there will be a proposal on the ballot called Proposition 4 this November regarding the issue.
This proposition will prohibit any medical establishments from performing abortion procedures on teens before 48 hours after parental or legal guardian notification. It will not require their consent, but will simply notify them.
There are exceptions to the rule, such as if the pregnancy will damage the health of the minor should she not get an abortion. Also, the parents can choose to sign a waiver saying they would not want to be notified. Lastly, the physician can notify another adult family member such as an aunt or grandmother if the teen fears she will receive abuse from the notified parent.
Vox, a San Diego State student organization, opposes the proposition. They have a chapter here as well as UCSD and community colleges where they receive strong student support, former president of the SDSU Vox organization Vanessa Cooney said. They are very busy calling voters locally to oppose the proposition, she added. "(Vox) exist(s) to bring pro-choice activism to campus and raise awareness of what's going on politically," Cooney said.
Vox will host an all-day Student Activism Conference at Aztec Center this Saturday, Sept. 13. Registration will be open as long as space is available.
"We are educating the students on the dangers of this deceptive proposition," Cooney said. She said that students should be registered to vote and vote no on Proposition 4. This organization is doing tabling and visibility events to raise awareness. Cooney has also stated that they have meetings every Monday from 3 to 4 p.m. outside Montezuma Hall.
"Vox makes students aware of reproduction choice rights and birth control," Cooney said.
"We have a huge battle against us this fall and we need all the student activists who want to get involved." Students can register at www.planned.org.
Proponents of the proposition say that an underage girl cannot get her cavity filled or be given an aspirin at school without parental consent, but a doctor can perform a surgical or chemical abortion on a minor without informing a parental guardian, according to www.yeson4.net.
Supporters of the proposition believe that a young girl would be safer if a family member knew about her situation and helped her understand all her options.
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