Abortion among adolescents.
In most countries, adolescents' access to abortion is limited by restrictions on legal abortion. Abortion is legal in the United States, but many states require parental consent or notification. Legislation mandating parental consent has been justified by several assumptions, including high risk of psychological harm from abortion, adolescents' inability to make an adequately informed decision, and benefits of parental involvement. Empirical data raise questions about the first 2 assumptions: Studies suggest a relatively low risk associated with abortion, and adolescents seeking abortion appear to make an informed choice. Less is known about effects of parental involvement. The authors review available research and discuss policy debates over parental consent in the United States and the international context.
Adler
Nancy E
NE
Health Psychology Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Box 0844, San Francisco, CA 94143-0844, USA. nadler@itsa.ucsf.edu
Ozer
Emily J
EJ
Tschann
Jeanne
J
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010290:Parents; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology