Social and Psychological Lessons from Teen Abortions
Social and Psychological Lessons from Teen Abortions
For teenagers facing abortion, it is a psychological, social, and philosophical dilemma that must be encountered. After the Roe v Wade case in which the court decided that a woman should have the right to choose, limited abortion rights were granted to minors. As a result, numerous states enacted various forms of parental notification and consent laws. “In most states, the law requires that parents of teenagers provide written approval of the minor's decision to terminate her pregnancy, or that they be notified by a physician” (McDonagh 21). An on going debate has continued regarding the notification of parents on abortion.
Even though many psychologists believe that parental notification can have a long-lasting impact on the teenager's physical and psychological well being, decision making capability, and family relationships, opponents believe that such notification laws are unnecessary because a significant portion of teenagers confide in their parents about pregnancy and would seek their advice on pregnancy options and alternatives. Therefore, parents are already involved in providing emotional and psychological support and assisting her in the decision making process. Also, a small percentage of teens are living in abusive and unstable situations at home and the laws would cause them to delay seeking termination of their pregnancy because of the fear of the parental reaction. On the other side, those who believe that parents should be notified argue that if parents are notified, they will be there to provide support in dealing with the psychological impact of abortion. They also argue that teenagers are not experienced at making decisions for them and therefore will not make the decision that is best for themselves and for their family. “Information must be obtained on the psychological effects of abortion on teenage mothers before any federal law goes into existence on teen abortions” (Schwarz 43).
Statistics show that in the United States abortion is committed by many teenage mothers. A bill was passed requiring a teenage girl to notify her parents before having an abortion. The problem the bill faces is that there is a Privacy Amendment in the Constitution that protects women's rights to choose abortion. Sponsors of the bill argue the fact that in any other surgical procedure, other than an emergency, doctors are required to notify the parents before they do surgery. However, in many economically and education deprived sections of the US, many teenagers are living...