Abortion 1

ABORTION: PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Abortion: Parental Involvement

Brittany Jamison
Bradford Area High School

Abortion 2
ABORTION: PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Abstract
Abortion has become a controversial topic in the United States and worldwide over the past forty
years. Statics show that there have been over 50 million abortions in the United States during
that time and those numbers continue to increase ever year. Recently, increasing controversy has
surfaced nationwide regarding parental involvement in a minor teenage girls decision to obtain
an abortion. The following paper provides an overview of the parental involvement controversy
revolving around a minor teenager decisions to receive abortions including arguments from
supporters and critics. The paper provides significant insight into the types of concerns that both
supporters and critics debate over including: parental rights, medical associated risks and related
issues, emotional support, and the general well-being of pregnant minors. Overall, the reader is
provided with the opportunity to gain insight into the debated social issue of parental
involvement in a minor teenagers decision to abort a child.

Abortion 3
ABORTION: PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Introduction
Abortion is a procedure performed to end pregnancy and was legalized in the United
States in 1973; since then, over 50 million abortions have been performed on women throughout
the U.S (Abortion, 2010). Current statistics state that there are approximately 314 million people
living in the United States, this shows that over the past 40 years over fifteen percent of the
United States population has been eliminated by abortion. Abortion is an ongoing controversy in
the U.S. as supporters and critics continue to fight to keep high ranking people, such as court
officials, legislatures and government powers, on their side to ensure their chances of having
laws passed and enforcements applied. Out of the 50 states, 21 states require that parents must
give consent for underage daughters to undergo the abortion procedure, 12 states mandate that
parents of minors seeking abortion must be notified before the procedure, and 5 states only allow
teenage girls to obtain abortion if parents give consent and notification (Parental Involvement in
Minors Abortions, 2013).
Although many states require parental involvement in minors decision to obtain
abortion, there are still several that do not and this adds additional rage to the controversy. Critics
of parental involvement believe that parents involvement and/or consent takes away from a
teens independence and infringes upon their individual rights. Opposite to that of the critics,
supporters of parental involvement believe that involving parents in a minors decision to receive
an abortion ensures the safety and well-being of the minor is considered, including their medial
and emotional needs. Minors seeking abortions should be required to have parental consent
because the procedure has the potential for significant health risks, minors are too young to make
high risk decisions on their own and parental involvement can reduce pressure that young girls
may receive from their partners or peers.

Abortion 4
ABORTION: PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Individuals who are against parental notification and consent laws believe that such laws
are harmful to a teenagers health because proceeding with the pregnancy or telling parents about
the pregnancy may result in death or other fatal situations. Opponents also insist an exception
must be made to emergency medical situations or situations where the teens health or life is
risked anyway (Collett, 2013). Opponents of parental consent and involvement continue to argue
that if the teen has an emergency medical situation, for example, if carrying the child is
damaging the teens heath, than the teen deserves exception to abortion without parental
involvement. The critics of these laws claim that the laws themselves harm teenagers lives
when in reality the risks involved with an abortion procedure are much greater and much more
likely to occur than an emergency medical situation. For example, Collett (2013) stated,
In the five years between 2005and 2010 the Wisconsin Department of health reported almost
3,200 abortions performed on minors, not a single one involved a medical emergency. During the
same five years in Alabama, where over 4,500 abortions were performed on minors, only two
involved a medical emergency. In Nebraska, of the 13,596 abortions performed on all woman
from 2005 2010 only three involved a medical emergency (p. 4).
Many states do in fact provide exception to medical emergency situations; therefore, the slim
chance of emergency health danger does not even compare to the health problems the procedure
could cause such as infection and organ damage. In addition, Independent of the fact that such
emergencies are so rare, it is precisely in these circumstances when a teens life or health is
threatened by a pregnancy, that parental involvement is most needed and most helpful (Collett,
2013, p.2). Not only should parental involvement be essential when teens are trying to obtain
abortion, but if proceeding with the pregnancy or undergoing the procedure risks the teens life,
parents could help their underage daughters through the procedure by providing support, love

Abortion 5
ABORTION: PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
and appropriate medical treatment. Along with that, if parental involvement is required in teens
decision to obtain abortion parents can provide medical history that teens may not be aware of or
may be too shy to share, which may allow for complications following the abortion (Collett,
2013). Parents being involved in teens choice to receive abortion can impact their health
dramatically. If the teen has had health problems in the past, her parents would be the first to
know, and they could provide relevant information, ensuring that those problems will not lead to
complications if the decision is made to undergo the abortion procedure. In addition, involving
parents reassures that abortion seeking teenage girls will receive the medical care needed before,
during, and after the abortion procedure. Parental involvement also insures that parents watch for
abnormal heath functions as the pregnancy progresses if keeping the child or adoption were
chosen over abortion (Earll). Parents and/or guardians of teenage girls looking into abortion
often have more knowledge and experience with child birth and human body functions;
therefore, parental involvement laws help to save teens lives as the health risks involved can be
very dangerous. In fact, the most common post-abortion medical complication is infection which
can become extremely dangerous and in some cases even life threatening (Abortion, 2010).
Although health complications vary from woman to woman, the chances of health related
problems after receiving abortion is extremely high throughout the world. Other possible health
risks vary from pain, cramping, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, to abnormal heavy bleeding and or
damage to the uterus which can be extremely life threatening as well (Abortion Health Risks and
Side-Effects, 2013). Unlike what critics of parental involvement say, the health related
complications without parental involvement are more likely to occur than emergency medical
situations and informing parents about pregnancy can only help protect the health of young girls.

Abortion 6
ABORTION: PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Another strong reason why parental involvement should be required for teens to obtain
abortion is because they are too young to make important decisions on their own. Critics of
parental involvement in abortion insist that since underage girls can privately seek other services
such as treatment for STD, addiction to drugs or alcohol, mental health issues, and often times
even prenatal care, it should be no different for girls seeking abortion (Abortion: Parental
Involvement Laws, 2013). As these services are available for underage girls to receive without
parental involvement, often times when minors do seek these services having parents involved
can benefit these girls, as even when compared to abortion these services can be serious. In
addition, there are no other planned surgeries minors can receive without parental involvement,
making abortion rights extremely unlawful (Collett, 2013). As abortion does fall under the
category of a planned surgery, critics are wrong to think that treatment for STD, addiction to
drugs or alcohol, mental health issues, and prenatal care should be grouped as the same type of
treatment as an abortion. Along with that, Alicia Preston, former New Hampshire Governor
Craig Bensons spokeswoman says, Its not about abortion rights, its about parental rights
because parental consent and notification laws give children seeking abortion the parental
guidance that they need (Abortion: Parental Involvement Laws, 2013, p.2). If parental
notification or consent is required with teens choice to receive abortion parents can help their
daughters through not only making their decision as to end the pregnancy or to proceed with it,
but also when dealing with paperwork, important appointments, absents from school and any
other situation the procedure or pregnancy entails. Along with that, when dealing with such a
complex decision minors do not have enough emotional development to make proper choices
without parental advice (Donohoe, 2007). In most cases where teenage girls are looking to obtain
an abortion they have not dealt with other decisions of such importance, and without parental

Abortion 7
ABORTION: PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
guidance young girls may make a choice they will regret in the future. Although teenage girls are
able to receive some treatment and maybe even prenatal care without involvement of parents,
abortion is a much larger procedure with many more complications and when dealing with such a
dangerous decision teenagers are too young to prepare themselves for what could potentially
come after the procedure.
Finally, involving parents in minors decision to obtain abortion lowers the risk that these
teenage girls may be pressured by partners or peers. Opponents of parental involvement laws say,
Parental notification and consent laws can be problematic in households where parents are
abusive, they contend, arguing that some girls can face violent consequences if their parents
know that they are pregnant (Abortion: Parental Involvement Laws, 2013, p. 3). Critics of
parental involvement believe that parents finding out about pregnancy in young girls can cause
harm, although there are many ways to receive abortion and get around causing problems or
risking harm from parents. For example, 37 states offer judicial bypass as minors can receive
permission to obtain abortion through a court and 6 states allow minors to receive the abortion
procedure with the involvement of an adult relative, in which both are ways a minor could
receive an abortion without creating problems in her home, along with the 15 states that allow
minors to receive abortion in cases of neglect, abuse, incest or assault (Parental Involvement in
Minors Abortion, 2013). Opposite to what opponents of parental involvement laws say, the real
harm comes when underage girls are coerced by partners or peers into receiving an abortion.
Involvement of parents can reduce this dramatically as parents often have more control and more
input in their teenagers life. Therefore, parents can be a major system of support to teens
seeking an abortion, which can lead to helping young girls make the best choice for them and
one they will not regret long term (Donohoe, 2007). In many cases girls are pressured by partners

Abortion 8
ABORTION: PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
into having abortions by threats to end relationships or loose approval if she does not do the
right thing (Reardon, 2013). Often times as teenagers face this decision, they are not focused
on what will be the best choice long term, and are more focused on the moment and the opinions
of others, including the father of the child, or their friends. Out of a study of 252 aborted women
who suffered emotional post-abortion trauma, only 33% felt free to make their own choice
(Reardon, 2013). This fact further strengthens the argument of parental involvement supporters
and shows that many teenage girls who seek abortion without parental involvement make
choices that will not be in their best favor long term. In conclusion, most females pressured into
abortion say that if they would have been encouraged by one or more persons involved in their
life, they would have kept their pregnancy (Reardon, 2013). Parental involvement can be very
helpful when teenagers are being pressured into abortion by partners. Parents can encourage their
daughters to make the best choices for themselves, not the best choices for the father of the child
or their friends; this may ultimately eliminate the regret regarding the decision later in the
teenagers life.

Abortion 9
ABORTION: PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Discussion
Research was conducted utilizing numerous scholarly sources to provide a thorough
exploration of available information on the subject of parental involvement in a minors decision
to obtain an abortion. Parental involvement should be required in minors decision to receive an
abortion because of the major health risks involved with the procedure, teenagers are simply not
mature enough to make such extensive decisions and involving parents could reduce pressure
from partners and peers. Medical related complications caused from abortion can become
extremely life threatening, making abortion a procedure potentially dangerous to a minors
health. In addition to medical complications, teenagers will also have to deal with the emotional
implications of abortion and many teenagers may have not developed enough emotionally to
make such a complex decision. Parental involvement in a minors decision to abort provides
young girls with additional guidance and support that is needed to make important, life altering
decisions. Finally, pressure from partners and peers can sometimes force girls to make decisions
that are better for others, instead of themselves. All of the reasons noted above suggest that
parental involvement in a minors decision to obtain an abortion should be required. In theory,
would any parent want their teenage daughters to undergo a potentially dangerous procedure
without their involvement?

Figure 1

Abortion 10
ABORTION: PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

States

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Sound Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Parental Involvement Requirements

Requires
Judicial
Medical
Parental
Bypass
Emergency
Involvement
Exceptions
Consent
X
X

Abuse, Assault,
and Incest
Exceptions
X

Consent
Consent

X
X

X
X

X
X

Notification

Notification
Notification
Notification

X
X
X

X
X
X

Consent
Notification
Notification
Consent
Consent

X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X

Notification
Consent
Consent
Notification of
both parents
Consent of both
parents
Consent

X
X
X
X

X
X

Notification

Consent
Consent of both
parents
Consent
Consent and
Notification

X
X

X
X

X
X

Consent
Consent
Consent
Notification
Consent
Consent
Consent and
Notification

X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X

Consent

Notification
Consent
Consent

X
X
X

X
X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X
X

(McBride, 2008).

Abortion 11
ABORTION: PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
References
Abortion. (2010). Opposing Viewpoints in Context, & Current Issues: Macmillian Social Science
Library. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com
Abortion Health Risks and Side-Effects. (2013, February 12). Contraception Resource Info Birth Control Guide. Retrieved from http://www.contracept.org/abortion-healthrisks.php
Abortion: Parental Involvement Laws. (2013, November 15). Issues & Controversies on File.
Retrieved from http://2facts.com/icof_story.aspx?PIN=i1000330
Collett, T. (2013, April 18). Parental Consent on Abortion Protects Young Women's Health. Life
News. Retrieved from http://www.lifenews.com/
Donohoe, M., MD. (2007, February 9). Parental Notification and Consent Laws for Teen
Abortions: Overview and 2006 Ballot Measures. Medscape. Retrieved from
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/549316
Gordon, C. E. (2010, July 15). Parental Involvement Laws in Minor Abortions. Citizen
Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.citizenslink.com/
McBride, D. E. (2008). Abortion in the United States: A reference handbook. Santa Barbara, CA:
ABC-CLIO.
Parental Involvement in Minors' Abortions. (2013, February 1). State Policies in Brief. Retrieved
from http:/www.guttmacher.org
Reardon, D. C., Ph.D. (2013). Women at Risk of Post-Abortion Trauma. Abortion Facts Information on Abortion You Can Use Retrieved from
http://www.abortionfacts.com/reardon/women-at-risk-of-post-abortion-trauma