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Yes.

Who should be in charge?

I think all of you would say “Hey it's my body, shouldn't I be able to make decisions that regard it?....like what I eat, how I exercise, if I get a tattoo or not, change my hair color etc.."

Sounds reasonable right?

But what about on the parental consent for an abortion OR BC, MAP, or EC?
What do you think about the states that now require girls under eighteen to get parental consent for an abortion almost up to 48 hours before the procedure?

Some of you might be thinking "Hey that’s a great idea, because abortion is a big decision and these girls need all the emotional help they can get"

But I know what the other spectrum of you are thinking "But what if that parents prevents the girl from getting the abortion because of the parents beliefs, not the girls"
and the other way around.
what if the girls beliefes' differ from the parents and she wants to keep it?
is it nesscarily right if her parents force her to get an abortion even if she doesn't want one?

Now remember guys ~ it's the girl who's pregnant, not the parents.
And not everybody has the most loving and supporting family like all of wish we could.

IE;

Quote:

However, in some set of cases, pregnant adolescents have entirely valid and rational reasons to avoid sharing news of a pregnancy and a planned abortion with their parents. Perhaps they fear violent reprisals; perhaps the pregnancy results from incest. For these women, parental consultation not only lacks value, it puts them at risk for harm.

For all we know there could be some parents out there who just want to punish there kid for having sex and make them keep it. Which should never be done because in my opinion no child should be used as punishment, due to the fact that usually only brings along unhappy parents with unwanted kids in broken homes.
Or heck maybe the parent is saying "Wow I'm going to have a grandbaby! I absolutely love babies!"
OR again - what if the parents are forcing her to get an abortion yet she intends to keep it-

Doesn’t seem all too right now does it? confused
I mean what if you came home and your dad was sitting on the couch and he says "well I don't have any room on my skin for anymore tattoos, but since you're my daughter I'm going to start getting tattoos on you now!"

D:
Also let me throw into the equation that - underage girls can bypass the parent consent or notification laws by going to court and asking a judge for permission. Then a parent can not usually can not overturn the decision of the girl getting the procedure.


Okay enough talking for now;

Below is a map of the United States color coded - or just black and white/gray that represents which states need parental consent, notification and which states don't have any laws.



EDIT:

I think this map may be a bit newer then the other, since it has more info.



Okay I want to throw another thing into the equation.
Most of you should know that most states have a sexual consent age at either 14 or 16.
Shouldn’t that come into play or not?

I mean if you’re allowed to have sex at 16 by state law, then shouldn't you be able to make decisions about your reproductive health?

Ah well

Heres some good reading on this subject
Legalffairs - Parent - free abortion?


So what's your opinion on this subject? 3nodding

To my knowledge, parents do not have the right to force sex on their daughter.

Nor do they have a right to force her to donate blood, marrow, or organs to another person.

And to my knowledge, they don't have the right to keep them from doing any of these either.

(There may be restrictions on that based on age, but it's not "because mommy dearest said so.")

Now, I think it's obvious what those two have in common with abortion. All involve bodily integrity rights.

If parents don't have the right to a (final) say in their daughter's BI in these instances, why should they get a final say in this instance?

Now, I don't know how old that map is, but I live in FL and apparently I'd need parental notification (not consent) if I needed an abortion. I honestly think this is the best out of the three situations. This way the parents know what is going on and the daughter is free to pursue her right. This is preferable to the "no lawe" states in which a girl can secretly have an abortion, have some complication, and have panicked parents who may not be able to give her the help she needs.

I do realize that this gives the parents an opportunity to stop their daughter, but only in the sense that being around a rapist gives him an opportunity to rape. In the even of either of those situations they should be charged the same, as they are both violating her BI.

It is a difficult situation; we want girls to be safe if something goes wrong (and remember early abortions are far more safe than going to term) but we also want them to be safe from the wrath of a parent. We have to understand that not all parent's are full of hugs and kisses (or maybe the wrong kinds of hugs and kisses).

Someone help me out here. In America are parent's allowed to view the medical records of thier children at any time? It's difficult enough to view your own damn records in Britain, let alone your childs... or maybe I'm just talking form my own experience as a minor *sigh*

If the abortion goes on record, and there ARE complications at least the medical staff will know what to do.

What if she had nowhere else to go?

And if she didn't make an attempt, so what, she's screwed? There's no other option for her other than eventually get beaten possibly to death?

Unless you have scars or life threatening injuries given to you by your parents - the police or social system won't do s**t for you.

I know from exprience.
My step father was beating me and I was able to call the police.
nothing happened to my step father but the police put me in holding cell for 'making prank calls', and 'battery & assult' against my step father, EVEN THOUGH I had bruises the length of my arms, legs and about everywhere else.
the courts, when hearing the charges just dismissed them but did nothing else.
they just over looked me.

I was 13 when that happened. neutral


If you tell someone you're afraid of your parents - that they might beat you, either that person is going to call your parents and ask questions which = an extra beating for you, or tell someone like the police/social system and nothing happens.

I know, I believe the map is from 00'.
I need to get a new one, but I just haven't found one yet.

Edit: I found another map, don't know if it's that much better though.