Should pregnant teens have to tell their parents that they are getting an abortion?

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Should pregnant teens have to tell their parents that they are getting an abortion?

by GnarleyMarlee Posted September 01, 2008 08:58:34

1,958 answers
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+66 raves

Should it be law that pregnant girl tell her parents she is getting an abortion? Is it her choice, or her parent's choice if she keeps the child? Yet, it is a human life, given to a girl who is underage and still under the guardianship of her parents. But what if the parents were abusive? What if the girl was raped? What if, what if, what if?

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+16 / -1 raves Drama Queen 101 September 07, 2008 00:27:23

Answered: Yes.
i think that pregnant girls should have 2 tell her parents before getting an abortion cause if they were good parents they might be able 2 talk her out of it cause it is a child's life that she would be taking away.
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aragonne November 12, 2009 14:35:29

Answered: Yes.
The reason is that teens and parents should always have open lins of communication and the parents should teach their children to remain chaste before marriage.
Brittney August 20, 2009 04:57:14

Answered: Undecided
they shouldn't be getting an abortion!!!
z-Madness-z July 07, 2009 15:35:25

Answered: Undecided
I would tell my mom after the abortion I got pregnant, but I think it's best to tell a parent.
aragonne to z-Madne... November 12, 2009 14:39:34

You should respect life more, particularly the life you concieved. The right to life is primary in our Republic (Seen the Declaration of Independence) and paramount to any modicom of morality.
z-Madne... to aragonne November 13, 2009 14:59:49

Yes, well, I don't intend on getting pregnant any time soon. And of course, the right to life goes to those that are alive, but I for one, don't know what a fetus is really "alive". Do you know?

And I'm sure plenty of people live moral lives without having a child. That's kinda what you made it sound like.
Lexy June 29, 2009 00:47:27

Answered: Undecided
well it is hard for a young girl to tell her mother that she is pregnant. she is scared and confused and maybe thinks the best choice is to get rid of the baby so that nobody knows ( even her parents ) I do think it should be a law , just because you are scared you may do something you will regret like killing your baby i however dont think it should be the parents choice it should be her choice in what she does
_teenwebster_ March 24, 2009 16:38:03

Answered: Undecided
it depends...
if parents are the freakzoid types who screech when you have a pregnancy test box in your bag then your parent is obviously going to want to know more of what is going on
and you should tell them if you feel it is needed
BUT!
if the child doesnt know what to choose to do whether or not she is pregnant then she should mention it to her parents
OR
If the child knows what she wants with herself and her body although she is pregnant then she isnt obligated to tell her parents altough it should be told to them at some point. :)
+1 raves
Hayley March 14, 2009 14:20:52

Answered: Undecided
Of course I am speaking in reference to myself. I would want my daughter to tell me. I would not want her to have to make that decision on her own. I would want her to know I was there for her and to make sure she had all the information she needed to make sure she was making the informed decision she truly needed to make. BUT.... Years ago, my step daughter who did not live full time with us called me when she was 14, she was pregnant. I felt she should tell her mother. I told her I would be there for her, but her mother needed o know. She called me back a few days later crying wanting me to talk with her mother, as her mother had made an appointment for her to have a abortion, that my step daughter did not want. Her mother wasn't supportive of what she wanted. She was angry and embarrassed. And not very kind. In the end I spoke at length with bothe mother and my step daughter, and I told my stepdaughter to just tell the doctor how she honestly felt about the whole procedure. She did, and of course, the doctor wouldn't perform it, no matter how much the mother ranted and raved.. Tough call for the teen..depends on what the parents might do if told.
Lexy to Hayley June 29, 2009 00:49:49

wow you are very kind and considerate of other peoples feelings =) I am surprised that she immediatly wanted her daughter to get an abortion though
+1 raves
Charles March 14, 2009 13:53:39

Answered: Yes.
A parent is responsible for their child until he or she is of age.The parents have a right to know what is happening in their child's life.
Jazmen Weathers March 13, 2009 00:04:36

Answered: No.
No, if a teenage girl gets pregnant it should be her own bussiness. I feel that the parents would find out any way and there could be other consequences for telling thier parents{thats probably the main reason for the abortion any way}. Though me personally I dont agree with abortion any way.... What harm could come from secretly having an abortion. Whats the point of telling one's parents?
IH - Lion of Light February 02, 2009 04:28:22

Answered: Yes.
They are minors and the parents are legally responsible.
Stinky January 31, 2009 07:27:26

Answered: Undecided
Depends on the parents. If I was pregnant I wouldn't want my dad to know. Having an abortion would be the least of my problems.
rabbit*patriot* January 30, 2009 22:54:29

Answered: Yes.
Minors cant even buy a friggin "R" rated dvd at walmart, but were questioning whether or not they should be able to get an abortion without parental consent? ludacris. and let me add a personal touch to this, I was 15, got pregnant and had to go to planned parenthood to get a pregnancy test and they repeatedly said, "you dont have to keep the pregnancy, you have other options." I said "no, i think i'm keeping the baby", and at least three more times in that 15 minute "counseling" session they kept reminding me i could terminate the pregnancy. fast forward 13 years, I have a beutiful little girl who is on the honor roll, plays hockey, baskeball and loves high school musical. my life changed, im in the middle of my nursing degree, but everything turned out ok.
str8jacket January 29, 2009 16:31:50

Answered: Undecided
If the girl was raped by someone OTHER than a family member, she needs to tell her family. If she was raped by someone within her family, she needs to tell an adult that she trusts (if any). This is such a hard subject. We have opened up the lines of communication concerning sex education considerably since I was a teenager but, unwanted pregnancy still happens. I understand how imposible it may seem to a teenage girl to go to her parents to tell them she is pregnant. Some would rather die than do that. I think couseling to the teenage girl is about all we can do. They shouldn't have to tell their parents BUT it should be mandatory that they receive decent counseling.
JDLogan January 29, 2009 02:45:04

Answered: Yes.
If my daughter has something that big going on in her life, I *need* to know about it. The only "what if" that throws a wrench in that is abusive parents, and we have processes to help people in those situations as well.
+1 raves
BitterSweetSymphony January 12, 2009 22:56:44

Answered: Undecided
I really don't know. Some situations yes and some no.
Lord Nils January 12, 2009 03:05:02

Answered: Yes.
Lets just talk on the girl having sex, not being raped. She should tell her parents. By law if nessacary. If the girl has been raped, then the parents should be involved.
+1 raves
crazy4paisley January 11, 2009 16:48:43

Answered: Yes.
Let me explain, as a nurse, this is still a surgical procedure and mishaps can happen such as perforated uterus, infection, hemorrhage, and the parents need to know to protect the health and well being of their child. I don't condone abortion as a method of birth control and believe that girls that are sexually active should be educated on birth control. Ignoring the sexually activity does not make it go away, just puts girls at risk.
rabbit*... to crazy4p... January 30, 2009 22:57:40

YES!!! some truth about abortion! They try to make it sound like such a simple risk free procedure. God bless you!
+1 raves
Blake<3 January 04, 2009 02:28:06

Answered: No.
If they have to tell their parents before they get an abortion then they will just go back to coat hangers in a dark alley.
jd3850 January 03, 2009 01:40:43

Answered: No.
often, parents do not have child's best interests in mind
jmkaz December 19, 2008 13:32:47

Answered: No.
no way
Urlanea December 05, 2008 01:03:52

Answered: Yes.
It's the right thing to do. You should tell your parents everything.
alovesj! November 28, 2008 18:03:26

Answered: No.
first of all let me say that I am a pregnant 16 year old who is NOT going to have an abortion.
that being said, if I had chosen that path it is not the "right" of my parents to tell me what to do with MY child.
they may be in control of every other aspect of my life because I am a minor but my pregnancy is one thing they really have no say in.
therefore I (or any other girl for that matter) should not be FORCED by LAW to tell them if I choose to get an abortion.
and furthermore abstinence most certainly IS NOT a realistic aspect of most teenage lives. I'm sorry to burst your bible thumping bubble but we are just as sexual as a grown adult.
and just for your information, although its really none of your business, I am not a slut who has had sex with 20 different guys. I have had sex with ONE person whom I have been with for FOUR YEARS. which is more time than it takes most married couples to have their first child. and if it were legal without parental consent for my boyfriend and I to be married we would be. I do not condone the decisions I have made but they are MY decisions just as it is MY decision to have an abortion
+1 raves
Nick Name to alovesj! December 01, 2008 20:17:17 (edited)

Hmm... should someone who is actually making plans to kill an innocent human --
(with unique fingerprints
and a separate circulatory system,
often with a different blood type than the mother,
since only your father's sperm determined your blood type)
--be compelled to receive parental consent for such a termination of life...? Hmmm...

This specious argument regarding "it's a part of my body... I can do what *I* want"
demonstrates deliberate and willful selfishness - and an apparent ignorance of DNA,
human anatomy, the soul, what's best for society, and even common decency!

If carried to term, ANY child (born in a free society) has his own protected rights...
...unless Obama's "post-birth/live birth" abortion becomes the law of this land.

Should John Wayne Gacy have been allowed to "privately post-term abort" those teenage boys?

The unborn childs's grandparents (the girl's own parents) should be able to step in and try once again to raise their daughter to care about someone other than just herself!

Give this young human the opportunity to be raised by loving, adoptive parents
since a self-ONLY mother would be less likely to GROW UP into an adult
and instill non-murderous values into her child.

If an immature, unrealistic girl is allowed to make such a "ME...

Hmm... should someone who is actually making plans to kill an innocent human --
(with unique fingerprints
and a separate circulatory system,
often with a different blood type than the mother,
since only your father's sperm determined your blood type)
--be compelled to receive parental consent for such a termination of life...? Hmmm...

This specious argument regarding "it's a part of my body... I can do what *I* want"
demonstrates deliberate and willful selfishness - and an apparent ignorance of DNA,
human anatomy, the soul, what's best for society, and even common decency!

If carried to term, ANY child (born in a free society) has his own protected rights...
...unless Obama's "post-birth/live birth" abortion becomes the law of this land.

Should John Wayne Gacy have been allowed to "privately post-term abort" those teenage boys?

The unborn childs's grandparents (the girl's own parents) should be able to step in and try once again to raise their daughter to care about someone other than just herself!

Give this young human the opportunity to be raised by loving, adoptive parents
since a self-ONLY mother would be less likely to GROW UP into an adult
and instill non-murderous values into her child.

If an immature, unrealistic girl is allowed to make such a "ME-ONLY" decision
without benefitting from the wisdom borne of years of learning how to live up to moral values... (and is further aided and abetted by a corruptly self-centered society)
...there is little hope for sanity in the next generation.
(more)
Yankee ... to Nick Name February 26, 2009 12:29:12

I also agree about babies being unique and seperate beings, but the real issue as I see it is does it have the right to LIVE in my body if I choose not to allow it so. If it can sustain itself on the outside without using my body as a host, then by all means let it live. But, if I am the one facing the risk of a number of life threatening issues in order to bring it into the world then I should be able to CHOOSE whether are not I am willing to accept the risks.
+1 raves
Nick Name to Yankee ... March 23, 2009 23:56:25

I'm glad your mother accepted the risk -- and allowed you to live.
Wasn't she sweet! She didn't kill you. She was willing to nurture you
so you could grow up -- so you could play God with another human life.
Isn't that special!? A baby is not a disease nor a tumor nor a parasite.
Pierre- to Nick Name March 24, 2009 00:00:17

Kinda harsh -- but I see your point.
rabbit*... to alovesj! January 30, 2009 23:03:17

Hey, I am the 28 year old mother of a 12 year old little girl, first of all bravo for choosing to not have an abortion. It is tough to be a young mom, but you can do it. I too got pregnant by my "first", was soooo not a slut. While all of my friends were getting on birth control my mom was telling me what little tramps they were for it, but her tune sure did change when I told her ( i was 4 months along before i got up the nerve). I was a little tom boy, the least likely to have sex in the first place, and I was brought up in a christian home, but it still happened. But, I think when you become a mom, your view may change (maybe not) about what your inupt on your childs or teenage childs body is. Best of luck to you and your baby!
Yankee ... to alovesj! February 26, 2009 12:25:17

I agree with everything up to the point of it is not realistic to expect abstinence. That is where you are wrong. You are in control of your actions, PERIOD. Practice a little self control and patience, you have your whole life to experience sex ( with by and large is overrated anyway!). If you feel you cannot control yourself, do not put yourself in a tempting situation, ie, change the channel, keep your clothes on, find a hobbie, read a book..... then you won't find yourself having to deal with grown up situations before you are mentally ready :-), Now I am not being judgemental, just saying that there are PLENTY of teens not having sex and I am sure their sex drive is just as high as most. It is all about self-control.
AmericanVirus November 21, 2008 04:53:42

Answered: No.
I mean they should tell there parents, but they shouldn't be required too.
+1 raves
Buzzymuzzwelle November 12, 2008 19:54:37

Answered: Yes.
I am thrilled that the USCCB has given the Messiah a proclamation defending the rights of the unborn. The Catholic Bishops of America have stated they will close down Catholic hospitals if forced to abide the FOCA laws Obama will pass after Jan.20TH.
Let the liberals come up with the money to take care of the 87 million people (mostly poor) that my church provides free health care to in America. Go Bishops!!
+3 raves
NickName to Buzzymu... November 16, 2008 06:42:37 (edited)

Although I'm rarely pro-roman catholic because of its endemically vaunted leadership --
(because
• its leadership typically treats the Holy Bible with less authority than Scripture and
• its leaders have enslaved faithful adherents into a false works/faith relationship and
• they've elevated the earthly mother of The LORD Jesus Christ as someone to be "prayed TO"
...as if she had any power to answer prayer now, or even at the hour of death!)
-- I am so-o-o-o thankful for folks like YOU, Bmw,
because you take a stand for what's right!

As a fellow born-again believer that
The LORD Jesus Christ is the Only One to Whom I give my allegiance,
I can say a hearty "AMEN!" to your post as I agree (for once) with
your church's leadership on this issue.
They will know we are Christians by our love!
streetfair November 12, 2008 06:15:55

Answered: Undecided
Most teens tell thier parents but some have many good reasons not to. Let her talk it out with her peers and hopefully a older sister, Aunt, close relative or older friend. If she chooses not to have an abortion, her parents will be involved. Maybe more than they want to be. Also it has to be HER decision and not someone elses.
Tashina November 12, 2008 04:07:04

Answered: Yes.
Yes! When we're young, we underestimate our parents so much. When I found out I was pregnant, my father has already suspected (and I wasn't living with him!). He was VERY supportive of either keeping the baby OR putting her up for adoption. In the end, I kept her, and though he hasn't taken over or anything, he has been there for moral support (my father was a father at 17). Now that she's nearly 4, I can't believe that I almost didn't tell my parents, and got an abortion. This is not a decision to be taken lightly! It is something that (either way you decide) you will have to live with for the rest of your life!

www.AreYouPro-Active.com
TracyWallace November 12, 2008 02:10:36 (edited)

Answered: Yes.
If the high schools have to get permission for a tylenol, I surely feel that a parent has a right to know if their daughter is planning on having a dangferous procedure done!! It doesn't just physically endanger the teen, but it also screws them up mentally for the rest of their lives. And it affects other people in the family afterwards. Trust me, I have experience in this! I am a Grandma of an aborted baby! WITHOUT PERMISSION. It is wrong, and the law needs to be followed that a parent has to know.
stillstanding November 11, 2008 04:27:24

Answered: Yes.
If the girl was raped she should be provided with medical care and appropriate professional counseling.If her parents are abusive,she should be provided with a safe place to live.She will also need ongoing support,education and career counseling and guidance,parental skill's training,and emotional and spiritual help.It is never enough just to "save" a person and then leave them high and dry.It is essential to nurture and encourage spiritual formation in new believers,and individuals in transition.This ongoing support is a basic Christian concept.
jassy November 08, 2008 20:34:25 (edited)

Answered: Yes.
because it is the wrong thing to do your parnet didn't kill you so why kill yours so thats the wrong thing still
Vivian to jassy August 15, 2009 20:02:59

Becauses circumstances might differ.