NCJ Number
151761
Date Published
1994
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This pamphlet argues that the 15 States currently requiring minors to obtain parental consent before having an abortion should repeal these parental involvement laws.
Abstract
The pamphlet presents stories from teenaged pregnant girls who either told their parents they were pregnant and were maltreated in response, or who attempted self-abortion or sought illegal abortions to avoid telling their parents or guardians. The authors argue that, particularly when girls have been victims of physical or sexual abuse or incest, they are likely to meet with a violent response to the news that they are pregnant. In many cases, adolescent girls want to hide their condition from their alcoholic or mentally ill parents. The pamphlet maintains that repeal of parental involvement laws is the first step toward providing a full range of reproductive health care options to young girls that will eventually reduce the number of adolescent pregnancies. 20 notes