It is an unfortunate fact that many teens who become pregnant never tell their parents. Many teen mothers have hid their pregnancy from their families and even from their friends and other people they come in contact with. Some teens have gone through their entire pregnancy without ever telling anyone.
This is a difficult thing to go through alone, especially as a teenager but the sad truth is that many teenagers are afraid to tell their parents. It is also a fact that in many states within the United States, a teenager can have an abortion without her parent’s consent. In other states, the teenager can bypass parental consent and terminate the pregnancy on her own if she obtains court approval. In still other states, the teenager can bypass parental approval if she obtains permission from another family member.
What can you do about this if you are the parent of a teenager?
1. The first step is to make yourself familiar with the laws of your state. (See the end of this article for a state-by-state listing).
2. The second step is to communicate with your child and let her know how you feel about pregnancy and what she should do if she fears she may be pregnant. You should also do your best to encourage pregnancy prevention in your teen.
3. The third step is to be open and understanding with your child so that in the unfortunate event that she finds herself in this situation, she will come to you and not hide it.
Sadly, many teenagers become pregnant and do not tell their parents out of fear. Most parents say, “My child would tell me, I’m sure of it!” and while you may tell your child that it’s okay to tell you anything, if you don’t show them in your actions that you can be accepting, they may still fear telling you.
Part of your job as a parent is also to try to keep an eye out for the signs of pregnancy- although this is not always easy with teenagers that may try to hide things from their parents.
What can you do if you are a pregnant teen?
If you’re a pregnant teen considering abortion, you don’t have to go through this alone. Even if the laws in your state say you don’t need parental consent, this is something that (in most cases) will benefit you to tell your parents about, especially if you are under age. While this baby is yours and you may feel you have the right to make decisions regarding it, you are still your parents’ child and they have certain rights regarding you and your health as well. Abortion can be a dangerous procedure that can also have future emotional implications and your parents deserve the right to know.
If you are concerned about how your parents will respond to your pregnancy news, that they will be angry or that they will harm you when they find out, seek assistance in telling them. There are many public clinics and facilities that will assist you in breaking the news to your parents. The most important thing to remember is that while you may feel like you are alone, there is help out there for you and many other girls who have been in the same position.
The following states have abortion laws that require parental consent from at least one parent. Many of these states have laws that allow the pregnant teen to skip parental consent if they get permission from the court. They also allow abortion in medical emergencies without parental consent. The same laws allow abortion in cases of abuse, assault, incest or neglect.
-Alabama
-Arizona
-Arkansas
-Indiana
-Iowa
-Kansas
-Kentucky
-Louisiana
-Maryland
-Massachusetts
-Michigan
-Minnesota
-Mississippi
-Missouri
-Nebraska
-North Carolina
-Ohio
-Oklahoma
-North Dakota
-Pennsylvania
-South Carolina
-South Dakota
-Rhode Island
-Tennessee
-Texas
-Utah
-Wyoming
The following states haveno current abortion policy in effect. This means minors can obtain an abortion without getting their parent’s permission.
Alaska
California
Connecticut
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Oregon
Vermont
WashingtonThe states below require that the parent is notified but the parent doesn’t actually have to give permission first. The teen can avoid this parent notification by getting permission from the court. In these states, the law will support an abortion in an emergency without permission from the parent.
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
West VirginiaOther- Below are states that may have laws different from those listed above:
Maine
Parents have to be notified AND give their permission.
Underage teens can avoid parental permission if they get approval from the court.
In some cases, the teen can get permission from another relative in place of parental permission. Virginia
This state requires permission from at least one parent.
Underage teens can avoid parental permission if they get approval from the court.
In some cases, the teen can get permission from another relative in place of parental permission.
Parental permission is not needed in cases of abuse, assault, neglect and incest.Wisconsin
This state requires permission from at least one parent.
Underage teens can avoid parental permission if they get approval from the court.
In some cases, the teen can get permission from another relative in place of parental permission.
Parental permission is not needed in cases of abuse, assault, neglect and incest.***DISCLAIMER: I have provided information that is accurate to the best of my ability as of February 2007. Please be aware that laws regarding abortion practices are constantly changing and it is possible that by the time you read this article, laws have changed.
