posted
If a Teenage girl got pregnant, could her parents make her get an abortion or put it up for adoption even if she didnt want to. Because shes under 18 and all, can parents do this?
Posts: 280 | From: nowhere | Registered: Apr 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Dzuunmod: Maybe professor BruinDan can help us out with this one...
Dzuun is right that it all depends on your state. Case law so far has swung in the parents' favor on this one, as it would with anything else where a child in concerned. Since a minor is considered to be under the care of a parent until s/he reaches the age of majority, the parents can basically run the show from behind the scenes so long as it doesn't result in harm to the child.
Because abortion is such a touchy issue all around, the different sides have argued both ways on this one. At the moment, parents could technically order that a child be aborted or not aborted, but there would be an automatic litigation process that would probably delay it all for the duration of the process anyway. Three years ago a Connecticut girl petitioned the court for the right to carry a child to full-term against the wishes of her parents, and the litigation was still going on thirteen months later when the baby had already been born. Go figure.
So to answer your question, it allllll depends on how your state feels about parental-notification. If you're in a state with strict parental notification laws, your parents will have more say than if you're in a state without them. But either way, things with abortion are so fluid now that this will likely have changed before long anyway.
quote:Originally posted by BruinDan: Three years ago a Connecticut girl petitioned the court for the right to carry a child to full-term against the wishes of her parents, and the litigation was still going on thirteen months later when the baby had already been born. Go figure.
The only way this makes any sense is if they were just trying to set precedent. I suppose that's what was up?
------------------ ...and we raise the white flag, so they can paint it red and blue! -Joel Plaskett, True Patriot Love
quote:Originally posted by Dzuunmod: The only way this makes any sense is if they were just trying to set precedent. I suppose that's what was up?
That's part of why law is so maddening. Stuff that really makes no sense is allowed to keep going all for the sake of future case law. And yes, in this case, that's exactly what they wanted. Connecticut needed a clarification of their parental notification laws, and so the challenge was allowed to stand for future reference. Not that it did any good. Today the entire concept of parental notification is being challenged on the national level. So the case law from that Connecticut will soon be nullified anyway. Sheesh.
posted
I'm afraid I can't copy the web site directly here, but for a list of different states' consent laws, go to teenwire.com, and search for info on abortion. Also, you could just call Planned Parenthood to find out what's the dealio in your state. (800) 230-PLAN. Good luck!
Posts: 4 | From: Fort Bragg, CA, USA | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
Whoa dont think I'm pregnant, teen pregnancy isnt cool. I was just wondering if a teens parent had a say into what happens to the baby.
Posts: 280 | From: nowhere | Registered: Apr 2003
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We have a lot of pregnant teens here. What's cool is supporting people through difficult situations and helping them to know what their choices are.
There are a ton of teens out there who face the challenges of teen pregnancy and do an amazing job. There are others who struggle and have less successful outcomes, as well.
But what's cool is to not be judgemental and to be respectful of the people around you, though their choices may be different than yours.
Thanks.
------------------ Hope this helps, --Bri
Posts: 848 | From: London, UK | Registered: Aug 2001
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