False: “A 1994 study of over 46,000 pregnancies of school-age girls in California found that over two thirds were impregnated by adult men whose mean age was 22.6 years.” 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%AZ-2000AZ-2004TX-1999TX-2000TX-2001TX-2002MA-1995MA-2000<=1718-19>=20 False: “Many abortion providers choose not to report sexual abuse” False: “In California, the number of minors’ abortions is the highest in the country.” The proponents of Prop 85 falsely assert: The proponents of Proposition 85 have publicized incorrect information regarding parental involvement laws. The following corrects their statements by providing accurate information based on current research. This study summarizes 1993 data, and more recent data from the California Center for Health Statistics (from 2003) demonstrates that age difference have in fact narrowed significantly over the last decade. In 2003, over half of fathers in births to teen mothers were teenagers themselves. In addition, 2002 national data demonstrates that 3/4 of teenage women report that their first sexual partner is within 3 years of their own age. Further, there is no evidence to support the claim that parental involvement laws change the age dynamics of relationships. The graph below summarizes the age of fathers in births to teen mothers three states across the country that have parental involvement legislation in place. As the graph demonstrates, the implementation of parental involvement laws (in MA in 1981, TX in 2001, & AZ in 2003) did not change the proportion of births to teen fathers. Health care providers at reproductive and women’s health clinics are MANDATED REPORTERS. As such, they are trained in identifying the signs of an abusive or illegal relationship and report inappropriate relationships to the proper authorities. Health care providers also adhere to California’s minor consent laws that allow teens under age 18 to consent to certain forms of sensitive health care services, including reproductive and mental health care. Such laws were created because of overwhelming research demonstrating that adolescents would forgo necessary care or withhold important medical information if such confidentiality protections were not guaranteed, yet they report that they would continue to engage in risky behaviors (Reddy et al., JAMA 2002) These confidentiality protections do not prevent health care providers from reporting abusive or coercive relationships. As the position paper of leading medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Society of Adolescent Medicine states: “Open and confidential communication between the health professional and the adolescent patient, together with careful clinical assessment, can identify the majority of sexual abuse cases.” One out of 8 adolescents in the US resides in California, therefore it is not surprising that the absolute number of abortions seems high compared to other states with much smaller adolescent populations. A more informative measure of the relative frequency of abortion is the abortion rate, which measures the number of abortions per 1000 individuals. In California, the abortion rate for young women ages 15 to 17 has fallen over 50% over the past decade (from 42 to 21 per 1000 women), largely as a result of the state’s comprehensive approach to teen pregnancy prevention. Nationally, the abortion rate fell 39% over this same time period. (Alan Guttmacher Institute data)False: “Parental involvement laws on average reduce the number of abortions by 15% while also reducing the overall teen pregnancy rate.” False: “Parental notification improves family communication and decision-making.” False: “Older men exploit girls and use secret abortions to cover up their crimes.” 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%TX-1999TX-2000TX- 2001TX-2002<=1718 - 1920-24>=25 Although some studies have demonstrated declines in the in-state abortion rate for teens following the implementation of parental involvement laws, many have also documented an increase in out-of-state travel for abortion care that offsets in-state declines. A more effective way to reduce teen pregnancy and abortion rates is through the provision of confidential, low cost family planning services. An estimated 200,000 pregnancies are averted annually through the use of contraception by California teens (Kahn et al., California Wellness Foundation 1996) This graph summarizes teen birth rates in the US, California, and Texas over the past decade. The two states have taken different approaches to teen pregnancy prevention. While Texas has implemented policies promoting abstinence-only sex education and parental notification for contraception & abortion and limits funding for family planning services for teens, California has adopted comprehensive sex education, broadened the availability of low-cost, confidential family planning services, and protected adolescents’ ability to consent to certain forms of sensitive health care services. No research has documented an increase in positive family communication resulting from parental involvement laws; however studies have demonstrated that young women have valid concerns for not involving parents in their decision, including fear of violence, being kicked out of the house, or being forced into a decision regarding their pregnancy. (Henshaw & Kost, Family Planning Perspectives 1992) Parental communication on topics related to sex is high even without a government mandate. Nearly ¾ (71%) of young women report discussing sex with their parents, and 79% of young women in California report that their parents are aware of their sexual activities. Overall, teens cite parents as the most important influence when it comes to their decisions about sex. (National Survey of Family Growth, 2002 & California Health Interview Survey, 2001) “Judges, attorneys, and others involved in implementing [parental involvement] laws agree that ‘when a minor feels she cannot talk to her parents about an unintended pregnancy, forcing her to go to court does not lead to greater parent-child communication.’” - Report based on interviews with individuals involved in court bypass procedure Data from Texas reveals that the implementation of a parental notification law for abortion in early 2001 did not reduce the number of births to teen