Mandatory parental involvement prior to adolescent abortion

Patterns of consultation among adolescent minors obtaining an abortion.

“…Advocates of mandatory parental notification have argued that parental involve-ment is in the adolescent's best interest and promotes consultation with parents about the critical decision whether to terminate a pregnancy ( Worthington et al, 1991). In cases where there is a trusting, supportive relationship between an adolescent and her parents, communication with them about a pregnancy decision is highly desirable and should be encouraged.…”

“…The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of two-parent notification with judicial bypass in its June 26, 1990, Hodgson v. Minnesota ruling. Although proponents of mandatory parental involvement maintain that such requirements promote communication between adolescents and parents (Worthington et al, 1991), this has not been demonstrated (Crosby & English, 1991). Analyses comparing parental notification patterns in Minnesota with those of an adjoining state, Wisconsin, which had no mandatory parental involvement, revealed no difference in the proportion of teenagers notifying one or both parents (Blum, Resnick, & Stark, 1987.…”

“…Such parental involvement is viewed as necessary irrespective of the minor's own preferences (Worthington et al, 1991). Advocates of less stringent notification requirements suggest that at least one adult (not necessarily a parent) must be notified in order to assure that teenagers receive some adult guidance in the pregnancy termination decision (Melton, 1983).…”

“…Supporters of mandatory parental involvement argue that parental guidance is essential to assure competent decision-making for minors facing important health-related decisions (Melton & Pliner, 1986). Such parental involvement is viewed as necessary irrespective of the minor's own preferences (Worthington et al, 1991). Advocates of less stringent notification requirements suggest that at least one adult (not necessarily a parent) must be notified in order to assure that teenagers receive some adult guidance in the pregnancy termination decision (Melton, 1983).…”

Multiple Sources of Factual Knowledge.

“…More importantly, one study reported that at least 94% of the parents supported their daughter's decision to have an abortion (Henshaw & Kost, 1992). And a review of the research on parental involvement in abortion decisions revealed that 66% to 80% of parents, after adjusting to the news that their child was pregnant, were quite supportive of their daughters (Worthington, Larson, Lyons, Brubaker, Colecchi, Berry, & Morrow, 1991). Involving parents may improve the quality of the adolescent's decision making and may provide important support for the adolescent in coping with her pregnancy, but this research does not address the consequences to those pregnant minors whose parents are nonsupportive.…”