Why do pregnant teens need parental consent to get an

[Leonardo]

abortion? I'm not condoning abortion but isn't the whole point most likely because they don't want their parents to know they are pregnant so needing parental consent seems stupid.

[horsegal321]

Hummm that is a good question Im not sure myself but they probably think parents know best. (which isnt always the case)

[Teekno]

The idea is that since abortion is an elective medical procedure, parental consent should be required, like it is for all other elective medical procedures.

[VeggieTart]

It's a medical procedure. It can require anesthesia and a recovery period. Like with any medical procedure, there is a risk (although very small) of complications. For a teenage girl, however, it's still safer than childbirth. Luckily, most girls are able to tell one or both parents. The ones who can't are from abusive or neglectful homes, or a family member may have been the cause of the pregnancy. Some girls are afraid of "disappointing" their parents. For girls in this situation, there needs to be a safety net of a trusted adult to help them. I have heard of the Teen Endagerment Act, which makes it a crime for a trusted adult (an aunt, a grandparent, an older cousin/sibling) to take a child over state lines to get around parental consent laws; I am not sure if it has passed, though.

[Fishy!!!]

Well it seems like a pretty strategic way to get teens to tell their parents. Becuase if your going out and getting unwanted pregnancies, you parents sure as hell deserve to know. Because they can HELP!!!