Absolutely, these are decisions that cannot be taken lightly. They can also be decisions that you might later regret so the more involvemtn from concerned parties the wiser choice can be made.

Parental consent? No. Parental notification? Perhaps. Ultimately, you are the only one who can make that decision for yourself. However, it probably is best if you talk it over with your parents first, in the presence of a counselor if necessary.

Yes. Aside from all of the moral implications of an abortion (and I am not discussing them here), it is a serious surgical procedure that requires follow up care. If my daughter can not have her tonsils taken out without my permission, then an abortion should be no different. I will make considerations for a judge to be notified instead of parents under specific circumstances.

well lets lookk at it this way they need parental concent to get piercings and tattoos and smoke and technically legally to have sex they need it too and yet they do all these things anyway in very unsafe and uninformed ways (having your friends tattoo you, pierce yourself with a rusty nail from the garage, not using condoms...) now do you still think they should have to have concent to get an abortion?

It really is a common sense thing that many of the pro-abortion crowd does not want admit to. If a minor child cannot receive an aspirin from a school without parental consent why should they be able to have a potentially dangerous surgical procedure without their parents consent? It is insanity to think that the schools or the wackos at planned parenthood should have more control than a parent. It is a major step toward government having more say than parents and a step toward indoctrination into this same belief. No doubt minors should have to have parental consent before having surgery.

Yes, they should require parental consent. It is a complicated medical process that requires care. And the parents should have a say into whether they want to keep the to be born baby or not.

I don't think so. I have a 15 year old daughter. Thankfully we have a close relationship but some don't & the teen might be in danger from their parents if they tell them

No.

If the teenager is 18 then no, in some states that age is considered being an adult. If they are under 18 then they should get it.

yes because it's very risky.

No. Too many kids would be afraid to go to their parents, and then the kid ends up having a baby in a bathroom stall and dumping it or something awful like that. If a girl can make her own choice and save her health from not going to the dr. and bandaging her body to hide the pregnancy, then having a child who will probably die in a dumpster, I think she should be able to.

It is a really sad society that anyone would even have to ask that question. If a child has to have an abortion, the parents should be required to meet with a family counselor. A minor, by definition,has not reached the age of consent, is not even considered mature enough to consent to sex, much less abortion.

Absolutely. As a parent, there is no other answer. If my daughter became pregnant, its a family situation. A 15-16 year old child doesn't have the ability to make that decision alone. I'm not saying what the decision should be, but a parent has every right to know what is happening medically with their minor child. They have to have a parent's note to take Tylenol to school (which goes straight to the nurses' office) but an abortion is over the parents head, and only the pregnant minor should make that decision? Does that make sense?

Yes they should have to have the parents consent.

Depends on the parents. Some parents are just horrible and why get consent from a bad parent. It should be the girls choice always. But make sure to think about what your doing because I find abortion sickening and I cant imagine ever killing something inside of me. Im a guy so I shouldn't even be allowed to butt in on this issue. Men need to stay out of the abortion argument.

no.if you got hooked-up without them knowing,then you should go ahead and do your thing.why do you want to upset them?

The laws must be flexible enough to protect a person who is in the worst of circumstances (violent, abusive parents) not the best of circumstances (supportive, if disspointed parents). If the laws don't have provisions to protect the teens who need it the most then they are worthless. Since there is no good way to say Sally and Timmy of Perfectville have lovely folks who will stand by them and Susie and Tommy don't then the laws need to read that NONE of the kids need parental consent. If you have a good relationship with your kids they are going to tell you anyway. Legislating to REQUIRE that they confide in you is really about asking the government to do something you should have done long ago. IE: Earned the kids trust that you are there for them, no matter what, so they can safely confide the good, the bad and the ugly to you.

teenages over the age of 13 do not need parenteral consent if they are age 12 they can not get an abortion without parenteral consent there are laws that protect young minors if they are pregnant keeping an open relationship with your daughter will help with her descion making in regarrds to keeping you in the loop Abortion is a descion they should be made by the person that is pregnant to keep in mind there age and educate re the situation

I think they should be encouraged to discuss it with their parents, but it shouldn't be a forced thing. A lot of teenagers in that situation aren't going to have parents who are going to be supportive of them and insisting on their consent could actually make the problems that contributed to unwanted pregnancy even worse.

Yes, definitely. Do I need to explain myself?

Depends on the age of the teen. And each situation is different, it's to hard to say just asking in general. If I were that teen, I'd say no, as a parent of a 15yr old daughter I'd say yes! I want to be there for my daughter! I wouldn't want my daughter to go thru this alone!

Hi well that question answers it self really, afterall KIds as thats what they are, asre NOT old enough to look after them selfves so what chances have they to look after a new born baby, truthfully the parents should take more responsibility for their Teenage kids, they are not responsible and certainlty not adults in there teenage years.

They should have to have the parents consent or at least somebody to know what they are doing and to watch over them. I was 18 and had an abortion for MEDICAL reasons that I could not be pregnant at the time and have the procedure done. I told one person...the father of the child. I never told my mom or anybody else in my family. I had the abortion and 3 days later I got a serious infection. My fever was so high I was going in and out of shock. I finally broke down and reluctantly told my mother about everything and she took me to the hospital. They said that I could have died if I had waited any longer. This is the reason I feel you NEED to have somebody responsible by your side who is looking out for your best interest and for a young teen that would most likely be her parent.

Having a 13yr old son and a 12 yr old daughter, and two sisters who got pregnant as teenagers, ABSOLUTLY NOT!! I have had several friends growing up who became pregnant in their teens. One of which went to her mom and told her mom she was having sex and wanted birth control. Her mother refused to let her and stated that if she became pregnant that that was just more money for her, another friend wanted an abortion after being honest with her parents and they wouldn't let her, another's parents tried to force her by constantly pushing and pushing her until she did so. If my child came to me and told me either their girlfriend or that she was pregnant, the only thing I can do as a parent is support their decision whatever that may be, they have to live with whatever choice they make not me. I can only be on the outside looking in. Too many parents try to control the situation by doing what they honestly percieve as best for all involved, what they forget is what ever choice that child makes will have lasting consequences for that child first and formost, and as much as we want to carry our childrens burdens for them and want better for them some things only they can carry.

YES! ANYONE WHO WANT TO COMMIT MURDER SHOULD HAVE CONSENT.

Since parents are the ones responsible for medical care for their child, they should have the right to be informed so they know what medical condition their child is in. If a girl came home from having an abortion and got sick, her parents should know about it so they can seek medical care. I am fed up with parents having all the responsibility for their children without any authority about fulfilling that responsibility.

This is one case in which I LOVE my municipality's handling of touchy situations. The law reads where I live that a teenager must have parental consent to have an abortion, unless she wins an appeal to the courts determining that she is of sound mind, and it would be detrimental to her to inform her parents of her situation.

I know a person should have the right to privacy, but we are talking about a child. I would be broken hearted if my daughter got into trouble and didn't come to me for help. Although I understand why some kids shouldn't have to involve their parents... Much too difficult to be black and white. I think if a child doesn't want to involve her parents there should be a way to prove the child is making an informed decision, maybe a case worker?

I think that they need to be required to definatly talk to their parents, and or a counselor before making such a decision, but they shouldnt need parental consent, it is their body, their choice, but they do need to take time, and think all the pros and cons out. I am not a woman so I have really no right to say either way, and I think that the church, and the politicians shouldnt have a say at all.

Of course, these are just kids they can't make life changing descisions at such a young age. If the perants are abusive then a judge could be informed in some circumstances. But overall abortion shouldn't be legal anyways so nobody should be having them, unless the mothers life is in danger.

That can be a touchy subject. If they want the abortion I believe they should get it regardless if the parents want them to or not. I would resent a kid that I was forced to have. I believe that the parents should have some input, but no say.

ohhh weee roe vs wade im not a lady but im a father and as one, my HEART would be shattered if my baby girl felt she had to hide ANYTHING from me, I in my heart think if the young lady is keeping this from her parents it has to be for a good reason

No, not in my opinion.

Yes, they teenager could die on the table getting an abortion. Then what? I think they need parental permission, or they don't get one and they can give the baby up for adoptionif they choose not to keep it. The baby deserves a good life.

i was nineteen(i think) when i had an abortion and i wish that i had to check with my parents first because i regret it like i murdered

i don't think they should HAVE to, but it's definitely a good idea for them to talk to their parents about it.

Yes. I think the parents should be able to sign a form saying they agree. If they don't agree, they shouldn't have to pay for it but they must be prepared to give their daughter all the financial and emotional support she needs to have the baby. That said, once a girl is 18 she is a legal adult (at least in Australia) and does not have to seek parental permission to have an abortion. I also think that parents should not be allowed to force their daughter to have an abortion if she doesn't want one. It goes both ways.

yes

I was a pregnant teenager, and no I shouldn't need consent ~ It's my body, my baby, and my choice, NOT my parents.

There is no Culture in Africa like that. Please, Let us try to respect each other's culture. We are talking about abortion here not the African culture. Mind your work.

No. And any parents who would FORCE their daughter to have the child would be horrible people. It's her body, not theirs. A woman should have the right to choose if she want a baby, even if she is a minor.

well, the laws allow the state to collect child support and welfare reimbursements from the grandparents when the kids are minors, so why not?

without any doubt, yes.

No... When you are pregnant you have the right to choose what to do with that child!!! No one can make that choice for you!!! I was 16 and was pregnant!!! I know!!! Your body your choice!!!

of course minors should be alloud to have abortions without pearental consent. a person of any age who has sufficent understanding can obtain ANY medical treatment in this country (england) independatly of anyone else! that includes minors. all these people who have been saying things like "under 12s cannot get an abortion" and "children cant have paracetemol" without pearntal permission are wrong. there is nothing in english law that even suggests that! if schools choose not to given medicine without pearental consent that is school policy not the law! why should a 17 year old be treated as if she is different from an 18 year old? why do people keep saying things such as "15 year olds cannot make that sort of decision themselves" a 15 yeqar old cant make a life changeing decision! even an 8 year old could for god sake! children are not stupid!

Yes. If they are a minor they are still the parents responsibility and the parents deserve to know. A teenager cannot recieve advil from the school nurse without their parents consent...it is wrong that they could recieve an abortion without their parents even knowing let alone having a say in it.

mommyof2 what if an adult has an abortion and somethign goes wrong? is that any different? lets put this in its most extreem way whats the difference between a 17 year old who suffers a complecation and an 18 year old who suffers the same problem?

"""YES!!!!!!!"

I think so because parents should be there to ensure their daughter is being properly looked after and goes to a good place.

I don't think so. I think if theyre a minor then an impartial third party should be brought in to decide whats best for the welfare of the child (and the child's child).

Yes, they should (unless there is some reason that they would be in physical danger from the parents). If the parents say "No", then I feel they must be prepared to help their daughter with looking after the baby. If they say "No" and won't help her, they are being very cruel and if their daughter felt desperate enough to sneak off and have an abortion anyway, it would be a lot of their fault. I also think if parents say "No" and the daughter has an abortion anyway, they shouldn't have to pay a cent because it wasn't their wish.

I am actually getting ready to do a persuasive speech on this topic in 3 weeks and that is how i stumbled upon this site. i am 22 years old so im not too far off from being a teen and also in the age of wanting children. this is my take on it i feel it is the right of the teen to have the abortion however doing it behind a parents back is just wrong and very unsafe. teens and im not only talking 16 17 year olds im including your 13 14 year olds make rash unthought out decisions including to have sex why would anyone want their child going to an abortion clinic and terminating a life without you knowing. the risk are far greater for teens than in adults and i know this because i haev done my research so this is not just a emotioned based decision. now with that being said some of you stated you have parents who would mutilate their child if they even found out about the pregnancy and in that case there should be laws to help support the teen without violating parents rights as well. i mean really when i was a teen i couldnt consume or buy ciggaretts or alcohol, i had curfews for driving and need parental consent for everything else i did so why should it be different to terminate a life.

No.

NOPE! Definalty not.

Yes they should.

We have a "polling place", and the line was about 100 deep at 6 a.m.

No. This will cause scared teenagers to seek improvised means of abortion, which are dangerous to the mother (as well as the fetus, obviously.)

yes because of the health issues abortion causes.

Only if they got parental concent to get pregnant!

no absolutly not a teenager is able to fullyunderstand the issues involved just as well as any adult to suggest that they need perental concent when an adult in the same position does not is nothing more than ageism. and even if they did need concent why should the person have to be the pearents!

of course they should, the doctors need to ask the parents if they are OK with this idea, and they have to sign this permission slip paper, and by the way i hope you know you cannot have an abortian if you have the baby for more than 4 weeks! be careful, and take care, hope everything works out for you.

Teenagers need parental consent to get a tattoo.

You bet they do. First, it is their parents business until 18 because the parents are responsible for them by law and the law forces this down their throats. Second, the parents should be included to pay for the thing and then the girl and guy need to have to work the cost off to the parent or the taxpayers that have to pay for their mistake. Then the state should tie their tubes. If taxpayers have to pay for abortions then the ho needs to have the tubes tied as not to get with baby again and cost taxpayers more money.

If they can't get a belly button piercing without consent, they certainly shouldn't be able to get an abortion without parental consent.

No I don't think they should, it's their baby, their life and their will. And I don't think they should need "consent" from their parents to be able to do something which they should be able to do because of their right to free will.

No, they shouldn't need parental permission for any medical decisions.

Obviously yes. "But, my mom's going to kill me!" Well, of course she is and she should. The fact that kids are afraid their parents are going to be mad is a good thing. We should worry if they didn't care.

No, because it is the girl's body. I don't have a problem with minors needing permission for tattoos; driver's licesnes; piercings; etc. because those things are not immediate needs. For example, say a teen wants a tattoo of a dragon on their back and their parents say, "no". That's OK because tattoos are permanent and unecessary. You won't die or have your life or health permanently destroyed from not having what you want all the time. A baby could permanently ruin your body; kill you; destroy you emotionally and is a serious and permanent financial and spiritual strain. A baby is the end of a woman's life. There's a big difference between hearing "no, not until you're older" for unnecessary or novelty things and being denied authentic needs. When it comes to your body and your life, that's different. Your body always belongs to you, no matter how old you are.

For sure if they are under 18.

Yes & no. I think after a teen has had one abortion, it should become something that needs parental consent. Too many teens use abortions as birth control & that can really mess up their body. I think the first one should be up to them, then the clinic should keep an electronic file that all clinics have access to, so they can look up her name when she comes in. She should need parental consent & at least two kinds of ID, one with a photo. At least that's the way I feel. That might be a little strange, but I think it might teach them some restraint if they realize they can't go out & get an abortion later after they've had one.

If not, let's get rid of parental consent for tattoos, piercings, and every other medical procedure. To say no, is to say that they don't need parental consent for any of those things either.