Whenever the topic of abortion is raised in various channels, many would immediately call for anti-abortion due to its immoral and unethical background. Many religions have also denounced abortion as it claims innocent lives. Christianity is one of the staunchest rivals for those who believe abortion can be accepted as the heads of the religion believe that a fetus already has a life and killing it would be against the laws given by God. Nowadays, this argument is further escalated when proposals for legalizing abortion has gone underway. In the United States alone, abortion is legalized in some states and even place special requirements before abortion can be legally permitted. One of these requirements is the presentation of parental consent. Some states do not require this, while others see parental consent as an assurance that the teenager is supported in requesting for abortion. The question however in this requirement is if it should be required before abortion can take into place. Parental consent must be required before abortion can be obtained as parents may be able to persuade their children to withdraw from their plans, and reduce the number of abortion rates in the country.
In most states in the United States, they see parental consent as one of the important requirements before they can allow abortion to happen. One parent must give his or her consent before performing abortion on the teenager under 18. Others require parental consent even if the teenager is 21 years old. There are also states that do not require parental consent; nevertheless they allow abortion to be done legally in their state. The legalization of these states to allow abortion and require parental consent is done due to its two important effects; it can regulate the age of consent before abortion can be done, and the right of the teenager to even have an abortion done. Most of these laws and regulations are done in the thinking teenagers have supportive and caring parents, who understand the pros and cons of abortion and support them all the way. Aside from this, counselling is also required in addition to parental consent so that the situation will be properly explained to the woman before receiving abortion. States also restrict insurance coverage for abortion, whether they may be public or private .
Many critics and opponents have noted that asking for parental consent and making it a major requirement for abortion would only cause adverse effects for the teenage couple and for the family. It will spark conflict, rejection and even denouncement, which may cause more stress to the teenage woman. Another argument is the fact that making parental involvement required in abortion may only prolong the health risks the young woman has since she has delayed the procedure long enough. Opponents also note that parental consent may also prolong the procedure as additional bureaucratic procedures, making it stricter for abortion to happen even if it is legalized. Opponents also see that requiring consent from parents will also force women to look for illegal means to get abortion so that they will not be pressured by their parents. This is a rampant trend even before abortion has been legalized in some states as young couples would rather abort in secret than involve their families, just telling them about the incident if complications arise. Sometimes, this is the only way parents know that their child became pregnant if they are brought to the hospital for abortion complications .
However, this is not the sentiments shared by the supporters of making parental consent a major requirement to attain abortion. Pro-parental consent groups have noted that the parental consent laws would give some time for both the parents and for the teenage couple to think about the situation, and come to a decision together if they will still push through abortion or allow the pregnancy to continue. Parents can help their children understand their situation, and help their daughters to adjust to their situation. No matter if the parents will find about the accident, they will still be open to help their children. Abortion is a very tough decision in life as it will be affecting the future of the teenager, with or without support from their families. If the young woman in question is younger that the legal age, the most likely she would need to tell her parent how to decide on the matter. If the young girl decides on pushing for abortion, then the parents would support her and help her recover from the ordeal and move on. This alone is one reason why lawmakers did the parental consent clause on abortion legalization since they believe parents can help them decide and move on to any decision they make regarding their pregnancy .
Supporters of this proposition also noted that requiring parental consent in seeking abortion may also limit the number of abortion cases in the region. Since they would require consent, teenagers are most likely to ask for assistance from their parents, and eventually help them decide what to do. However, one cannot stipulate the case that some may resort into just going to another state that does not require consent or go to illegal abortion clinics. Pro-parental consent supporters have argued that the result of requiring parental consent is undeniable such as in Minnesota. Legal teenage abortions fell to almost 25% upon introduction. This alone even managed to get the support of even anti-abortion advocates since the numbers have dwindled with the provisions. Finally, the supports of requiring parental consent for abortion also argue that this requirement would change the attitudes of teenage couples especially when discussing the option of abortion. This will make them less likely to engage into sexual activity, and if they cannot help it, use protection through contraception. This will also promote abstinence and safe sex, thereby also reducing the risks of accidental pregnancies and the outbreak of STDs .
Whether or not it was an accident or negligence, the teenage couple must know the responsibilities entailing their decision and must stick to it. It may be true that it is still speculated on terms of a fetus having a soul or right to live, there is still the notion that the couple knew what they were doing and the risks involved whatever may happen after their intercourse. Due to the fact that they are the ones who raised the teenage couple intending to get abortion done, parents are the best actors to influence their children’s decision, and make them see reason of the cons of aborting the child. Some teenage couples normally hide the fact that the girl is pregnant, because they are scared of being forsaken by their parents. This must not be the case since parents can ultimately help these teenage couples raise the child especially once the child is given birth. If they do decide to get the consent and do the abortion, parents can support their children in any decision they wish to take. Parental consent in abortion, once it is made as a requirement, can also ultimately change the concept for teenagers as to how they can look up to their parents when they are in this situation.
Works Cited (Annotated)
Farrell, Courtney. The Abortion Debate. Edina: ABDO Publishing Company, 2008. Print. - Farrell explains in her debate that requiring parental consent would help teenagers understand what they are trying to undergo to once they decide on doing an abortion. Consent would also help parents help their children in deciding as the risks involving abortion and if it is done on the teenager.
Golden, Robert, et al. The Truth about Sexual Behavior and Unplanned Pregnancy. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2009. Print. - Golden and his colleagues explains as to the legalization of abortion in some US states and the nature as to how parental consent is required in these states before abortion can take place. The effects of implementing parental consent is also explained briefly by the authors.
Macleod, Catriona. Adolescence, pregnancy and abortion: constructing a threat of degeneration. East Sussex: Taylor and Francis, 2010. Print. - In Macleod's study, she notes that requiring parental consent for abortion and making it a major requirement would only cause adverse affects that may most likely bring teenagers to succumb to pressure and eventually take illegal actions just to do the act in secret. She also notes how family ties will be severed if it is done as a major requirement.
Trapp, Robert. The debatabase book: a must-have guidee for successful debate. New York: International Debate Education Association, 2009. Print. - Trapp noted the major impact of making parental consent for abortion important to lessen the number of abortion cases in most states which legalized it. He also points out that this will promote safe sex and prevent STD outbreak.
Works Cited
Farrell, Courtney. The Abortion Debate. Edina: ABDO Publishing Company, 2008. Print.
Golden, Robert, et al. The Truth about Sexual Behavior and Unplanned Pregnancy. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2009. Print.
Macleod, Catriona. Adolescence, pregnancy and abortion: constructing a threat of degeneration. East Sussex: Taylor and Francis, 2010. Print.
Trapp, Robert. The debatabase book: a must-have guidee for successful debate. New York: International Debate Education Association, 2009. Print.
