 |
IN FOCUS: ARTICLE |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Remembering Becky Bell
Jon Platner, 09.16.08
The unnecessary deaths of women from unsafe, illegal abortions make clear the need for safe, legal, accessible abortion services. |
|
On September 16, 1988, 17-year-old Becky Bell died of complications that resulted from an unsafe, illegal abortion, which she sought in a desperate attempt to avoid telling her parents that she was pregnant.
Becky lived in Indiana, where young women must obtain the consent of a parent before terminating a pregnancy. Thirty-six states have laws in effect that require the involvement of at least one parent in the abortion decision. (Some states require the involvement of both parents.)
Few would deny that most young women would benefit from adult guidance when faced with an unintended pregnancy. Few would deny that such guidance ideally should come from parents.
But unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world. Some teens live in troubled homes. The family might be having serious problems, or parents might be abusive, or a relative may even have caused the pregnancy.
And even teenagers who have good relationships with their parents, as did Becky Bell, might be afraid to talk to them about something as sensitive as pregnancy.
Judicial Bypass
In most states women under 18 can ask a judge to excuse them from involving a parent in their decision to have an abortion. The legal procedure is called a "judicial bypass."
However, going through the judicial bypass process can cause a delay that can increase both the cost of the abortion and the physical and emotional risk to the woman, since an earlier abortion is a safer one.
And the option of judicial bypass isn't always available. Some judges refuse to hear judicial bypass cases because of their own personal bias against abortion or other reasons, causing further delays for young women seeking abortions. In counties with a single judge, these refusals can force young women to travel to another county until they find a judge who is available to hear their case.
If you're a teen considering this option, contact a Planned Parenthood near you for more information about how the process works in your state.
Punishment v. Prevention
Anti-choice politicians argue that mandatory parental involvement laws reduce the number of abortions. But these laws do nothing to reduce the number of abortions. Instead, they put the health and safety of young women, like Becky Bell, at risk.
Many of the same politicians who push for mandatory parental involvement also oppose measures — like comprehensive sex education and expanded access to contraception — that help prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce the number of abortions. They support legislation that punishes young women by jeopardizing their health and safety, while blocking efforts to promote responsibility.
The unnecessary deaths of women from unsafe, illegal abortions make clear the need for safe, legal, accessible abortion services.
After Becky's death, her parents spoke out against laws that put women's health and safety at risk.
"Becky Bell was a beautiful, living human being who is no longer here because judges and politicians decided that they were going to be the moral conscience of this country," Becky's father Bill told 60 Minutes in February 1991.
In the same interview, her mother Karen said, "Two years ago I would have been totally for the parental consent law, but not now. ... Mothers and fathers have both come up and said, 'Well, we just know that our daughters would come to us, we know it.' And I said, 'And I knew Becky would come to me.' And look where she is."
To find out more about the law in your state and the judicial bypass option, call the nearest Planned Parenthood center at 1-800-230-PLAN. |
|
|
|
Printable Version
Email this page