The benefits of legislation requiring parental involvement prior to adolescent abortion.

Abstract

The authors present their support of what they consider to be the potentially beneficial aspects of mandatory parental involvement in adolescent pregnancy abortion decision making. Recognizing yet failing to closely consider the case against mandatory parental involvement they support parental involvement legislation as beneficial for the pregnant adolescent her family and family unity. The authors cite research indicating that adolescents tend to underestimate parental support and suggest that parents are able to render needed assistance in the decision making process. Additional research is cited showing the differential quality of adolescent decision making across adolescence and when compared to adults. Where young women fail to notify their parents in such cases they also potentially deprive themselves of parental support. Moreover guilt and anxiety are likely to result from failing to inform her parents of pregnancy and abortion increasing the potential for parent-adolescent alienation. The authors believe that those lacking parental support will be distressed regardless of whether or not they choose to inform their parents of an impending abortion. In so far as benefits to parents are concerned parents are considered ultimately responsible for medical and/or psychological treatment bills from or following an abortion and should be informed in a timely fashion. Adolescent pregnancy may also be seen as a form of rebellion through the exercise of sexual power and my exacerbate intra-familial conflict. Acknowledging the potential for tragic cases with and without legislation the authors advocate legislation. For argument against mandatory parental involvement the authors suggest 5 American Psychologist articles from 1987.