Pregnant minors can now obtain an abortion without the permission of their parents, even if state law says they must. The School of Government at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill released “guides” informing pregnant minors of a process termed “judicial bypass.” By following the “practical steps,” pregnant minors may be able to “bypass” parental notification and approval of abortion and obtain permission directly from a judge.
The Judicial Bypass Project is sponsored by the National Partnership for Women and Families. According to their website, “the project explores how the bypass works and what could make it more efficient and fair.”
Currently, thirty-six states, including North Carolina, require parental notification and/or consent before a minor receives an abortion. Support of this initiative removes parents from their child’s life-changing decision and replaces “parenting” with yet another legislator.
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill may be “leading the way” with the Judicial Bypass Project, but they ignore the long-term consequences at stake. Not only will minors more readily obtain an abortion but also alienate their parents. State laws that encourage a relationship between parents and children should be supported not bypassed. UNC-Chapel Hill should give better advice and support the pregnant minor or at least the law.
This is not a proud moment for NC or the beloved University of North Carolina.
The organization “National Partnership for Women and Families” implies in their name that they are for the family, but what this “guide” really does is allows for some outside influence other than a parent to make decisions for their children and family. How is that “for family”?
If a child should decide to have an abortion, don’t you think it might be important for the child to be able to talk to the parents at some point in the process… especially after such a life changing event. If a child uses the “Judicial Bypass Project ” how do you think the conversation is going to go when the child breaks down and needs a parents support? …
MOM I know I bypassed you earlier,:( but I could really use a hug right now I tried to hug my friend the judge, but he just wanted to hold me in comptent of court.
p.s. “Judicial Bypass Project “… and who says that they do not legislate from the bench or for that matter are not partisan…
The above characterization of the guides that the National Partnership for Women and Families have published is utterly misleading. These guides translate the laws of the United States and the State of North Carolina into understandable terms so that minors who are considering pregnancy or who are already pregnant will have some idea of how to navigate the legal and public service system. The Judicial Bypass process is one of many, many topics in the guide. Judicial Bypass is a Constitutionally required procedure that is designed to prevent a parent from absolutely forbidding their minor child from having access to abortion. It is often used in cases where minor children live in abusive households where news of a pregnancy (not to mention the actual act of having a child) could threaten their lives.
The above post is misleading and disregards the complexity that surrounds pregnant minors.