Do parents have a right to know of a child's pregnancy or abortion?

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Health Debates

19 Contributors
in this discussion.

Yes
68% of users

  • I believe parents should have the right to know of a child's pregnancy or abortion, because they are ultimately responsible for the child's care until she is eighteen.

    With the exception of a few circumstances, parents are responsible for their children's mental and physical health until they are adults. A child should not be allowed to make such a huge and potentially damaging decision about their health without a parent's knowledge. I understand the argument against telling unreasonable, angry parents and the increased risk of back alley abortions, but data suggests that the risk of complications is far greater than the likelihood of either of these the two scenarios playing out. I am a strong Democrat and believe in an adult woman's right to choose. I do not believe in a child's right to choose because in most cases, the parents will step up and deal with the pregnancy in a rational manner. This issue cannot be solved to please everyone, and I count on the fact that there are far more rational, well-meaning parents out there with generally good girls than child abusers and desperate teens.

    Yes taitava

  • I agree that parents have a right to know of a child's pregnancy or abortion, because the child is a minor and still the responsibility of the parents.

    Parents are responsible for everything their children do. In some states, parents of juvenile delinquents can be charged with the same crime as their child, and must pay restitution for those crimes. It is, therefore, logical that a parent should have the right to know about a pregnancy or abortion, because the child's health and well-being are at stake. The parents will no doubt be financially responsible for whatever outcome prevails.

    Yes N3vinFace

  • Parents should have the right to know

    How many times do kids come home and have their parents ask them: "So, what did you learn in school today?" A school day's-worth of deucation can change a simple test score, an abortion can change a life. A young person's brain is not fully developed until age 21 or later and they can't make the best decisions on their own. Parents at least have the wisdom that comes from experiencing parenthood and deserve consultation on such an impactful decision.

    Yes Anonymous

  • Parents have a right to know of a child's pregnancy or abortion, because it is a decision that should not be made by a minor.

    Parents have a right to know of a child's pregnancy or abortion, because it is a decision that should not be made by a minor. In the case where a minor gets pregnant and is faced with the decision of having a pregnancy or abortion, the parents should know. The parents should know for a couple of reasons. They should know so that they can provide the emotional support. Another reason that parents should know is that minors, although they think that they can make the decision on their own, cannot. They are still children, and are not able to make a logical decision.

    Yes PuzzlingDarrin48

  • Children are still minors, therefore it is the parent's duty to know about their child's pregnancy.

    Do parents have a right to know of a child's pregnancy or abortion? That is an emphatic yes. A child is still a minor, that means that the duties of that individual's well-being fall directly on the parents. That child is legally not old enough to make his or her decisions on matters of this gravity. If a child is given the right to withhold a pregnancy or abortion from their parents, then what is the point of being a parent in the first place? We might as well give that child the full privileges of being an adult. Pregnancy and abortion are grown up issues that should be addressed by a grown up, and it is their duty to look after that child.

    Yes gwynisin

  • Parents have a right to know about anything affecting their child's health and well being, including pregnancy and abortion.

    Parents are ultimately responsible for the health and well being of their children, even if their children are having children. It's hard enough for some parents to understand what they do know about their kids. A hidden pregnancy or abortion could add to the confusion many parents face when trying to prepare their children to face the world on their own as adults. Complications could arise from a pregnancy or abortion and could be life threatening. The signs that there is something seriously wrong could be missed by a parent who didn't know. A child who has something to hide may rush into something and end up visiting a clinic that is not credible or making a decision they will regret one way or the other. Parents need to know what is going on with their children's bodies and minds.

    Yes FieEar

  • If the relationship between parent and child is healthy, it should not be an issue; but if it is not, the child may need protection from the parents.

    Although it might seem to be a no-brainer that a parent should know if their teenage daughter is pregnant or had a termination, it does not always work that way. If the relationship between the girl and her parents is normal and healthy, then it is natural for her to tell them. If she does not want to, there is often a good reason; for example, the father of her child may be her father or stepfather, or her parents may be the type to disown her for 'sleeping around'. Or, parents may try to force a girl to have an abortion or force her to keep the child.

    Yes C0urtIight

  • I agree that parents have the right to know of a child's pregnancy or abortion because as their caregiver and legal provider they need to know.

    A parent is responsible for their child's actions until they are 18 years old, and I don't believe that pregnancy or abortions are exempt from this. Seeing as a parent would more than likely provide for the child to be, they have every right to know.

    Yes ladisimone

  • I believe parents do have a right to know of a child's pregnancy or abortion.

    If a child is under age and under their parents' roof, then parents have every right to know if their child is pregnant or is having an abortion. Considering they are the legal guardian of that child, they need to know what is going on in that child's life. They need to know to be able to handle whatever difficulties and emotions this child is going through and to be able to be that support during a difficult time. Clinics and companies who have a confidentiality agreement with minors are only making the situation worse and encouraging the child to keep secrets from their parents. Likewise, a child should never be afraid to tell their parents the situation they are in.

    Yes SheIdChunky

  • A child is the parent's responsibility whether things go well or not, and parents deserve the truth.

    Parents deserve to know about their child's pregnancy or abortion and should have the right to make decisions in these matters. The parents are the responsible party and should have a say in what happens to the unborn child, after all this would be their grandchild. An unwanted pregnancy can be difficult to deal with for a child, but everyone should know the truth as this is an important matter.

    Yes babydoll93

  • Parents have every right to know about their child's pregnancy and/or abortion if they are under the age of eighteen.

    Parents' are responsible for their children's actions until they reach adulthood and should certainly be involved in any pregnancy and/or abortion decisions. These are enormous decisions for a family, with long-term impacts and need to be evaluated that way. It's appalling that a child can't have a broken bone set or get stitches for a severe cut without parental consent, but they can undergo an abortion procedure without consent. In most States, children under eighteen can't even get a tattoo or piercing, without parental consent, but they are permitted to make life-changing decisions on having a child or an abortion.

    Yes A Tate

  • If their child is not an adult, the parent(s) are responsible for that child and, ultimately, that child's child.

    I'm all for a parent knowing about a pregnancy, with an intent to abort, if the parent plans on stopping the abortion. Other than this, the parent should still know of their child's medical condition - even if it is a pregnancy. That parent is responsible for their child. So, ultimately they have a responsibility toward their child's child, since their child can only have limited responsibility. The parent's adult guidance is needed for the safety of both children. If there's a possibility that the child might meet violence or abuse from the parent, then there should be resources available to help this child.

    Yes MohaI0v35

  • I support parents having the right to know of a child's pregnancy or abortion, it is not a matter of sole confidentiality, it will protect from abuse.

    If teenagers went around acting immature, got pregnant and wanted an abortion after so that their parents would not find out, chances are if they feel that have the right to get away with such an act, they will do it over and over. Parents should definitely have the right to know what their children are up to otherwise there is not sense in being given the role of a parent or referring to someone as their child. The parents will act as the barrier that may prevent a child from going out and engaging in such behavior again. If the parents are not given a right, the children will most likely abuse it.

    Yes MyHier
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No
32% of users

  • Abortion should be legal and available to a woman of any age and remain confidential, as well.

    I don't think there is a need for the parents to know, as long as the child is educated about abortion, birth control, and given a method of birth control, such as an IUD, after an abortion. If the child can't relate to the parent enough to tell them, there is a viable reason, aside from fear of disapproval. As far as pregnancy goes, if the child wants to continue the pregnancy and is under the age of 16, yes, the parents should probably be informed, as it will probably be their health insurance that is affected.

    No PointlessElbert47

  • I don't think parents should have the right to know of a child's pregnancy or abortion because that is the child's business.

    If the child is in need of telling the parents or their pregnancy or abortion, that should be to their own choosing. Doctor's and abortionists should keep these things confidential between them and their patients. It wouldn't feel right if I was pregnant and the doctor called home to mommy and daddy.

    No AnnoyedDong77

  • Families with good relationships will usually communicate openly about pregnancy and abortion, and not because of "rights"; girls without parents they experience as supportive shouldn't be required to disclose these matters.

    Parents who want to know about their daughters' (and sons') sexuality have the whole prior lives of their children to earn their kids' trust, and to set an example of openness and acceptance in communicating about feelings, sexuality, and relationships that can motivate a child to be open about her experience and decisions. Parents who demand to know about a daughter's pregnancy or abortion are getting the order of things backwards; whatever wisdom they hope to impart, they must earn their child's trust in order to get the chance. To speak of a parent's "right" to know of and presumably participate in decisions about whether to keep a child, give it up for adoption, or abort the pregnancy is unfair to the girl who believes her body, thoughts, and feelings would not be respected by a parent. She knows about her parents' attitudes better than the state possibly could.

    No M4I4cFeIine

  • A child is their own person, and I do not believe parents should have the right to their child's body.

    Telling parents about their child's pregnancy or abortion can have very negative effects for the child; they may not act in the most sensible way to avoid this eventuality occurring. I believe that those who find out - teachers, or doctors - have a sacred trust with that child to help them do the best for themselves. Sometimes this does not involve the parents. Parents shouldn't be allowed to decide how their daughter deals with a pregnancy or abortion. The child should be allowed to make those decisions, including whether they want parental advice. A parent may react very badly to what happened to their child and reject them. It should be the child's decision as to whether they think this will happen at such a critical time in their life.

    No DuaneAir

  • No, parents do not have a right to know of a child's pregnancy or abortion, because it is her private body.

    The child's body is her own, and not her parents, so she should be able to do whatever she wants to, to her own body. There is no reason to get her parents involved if she does not want them to be, because the child has a right to privacy too.

    No labusy

  • I think that a child should tell a parent about pregnancy if they want to.

    I know that parents feel like they should know all of this personal kind of stuff about their children. Truthfully though children should be in control of their own body and not have to tell their parents if for some reason they don't want to. It would be unfair to force a child to tell their parents.

    No B3rkIffy
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Do parents have a right to know of a child's pregnancy or abortion?
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