Abortion without consent?

Today I went to the hospital because of some knee problems and in the middle of our talk about pediatric treatments and stuff, the topic of teenage pregnancy came up, I was with my mom and we were both discussing it with the doctor. He said there was some rule in the hospitals (both public and private) that ANYONE can have an abortion without parental consent, which technically means that if a 10 year-old (yes, this has happened!) gets pregnant and decides to have an abortion, they can do it while signing their own terms of responsability THEMSELVES!

What do you think of this?

I think it's absolutely ridiculous to let a kid (Yes, a KID!) decide this by herself, do this without any family support or whatsoever, when they're just too young, sometimes, to even really think about it and understand what's going on. Plus, what if there's complications? What if they need therapy? Support?

The doctor DID say that some doctors simply refused to do it in those cases (they have every right to do so) because it's against their beliefs, and I agree with them.

I found it curious what my mom said "Well, so, in this country, I am forced to sign a paper to give consent that my child can go to a field trip 20 minutes away, but I don't even have to KNOW my child had an abortion?".

I think.. this is simply.. wrong.

It's ridiculous to me. As my child I should be notified of ANY medical procedure under the age of 18.
They require my signature for other surgeries, and abortion shouldn't be any different.

Not ridiculous to me. Better then the child trying to self-abort, and die.

so your advocating then that a 10 year old should be forced to carry a baby to term, just because her parents refuse to sign the consent? or even worse she does something to herself to induce a miscarriage because she is afraid to ask for her parents consent? (which, yes, does happen) In both cases she could be permanantly harmed or die, and you are cool with that, all because of a consent form? I believe if anyone wants an abortion before viabiliy, they should be able to get one for any reason. I would also be pretty proud of my 10 year old daughter that had the intelligence and forthought to seek out a legal abortion and take care of it. I would of course be fully supportive of her so, I would guess she would tell me anyway and I could help her find follow-up care as well.

That's crazy. And in only saying this from a parental point of view that there are risks involved with that procedure and I would want to know if my child was going through that. Also so I could support her emotionally.

But, I think it's even worse for a young girl to be forced by her family to carry and/ or raise a child she doesn't want.

I don't think it is wrong at all. and the whole country does not have that law. I needed parental consent at 16. I also know a 13 year old who needed it and was forced to carry it through so her parents could collect the benefits. Some parents just don't believe even though it is what is best for the child. Some teenagers face serious problems when it comes to telling their parents and having that option is good. I believe they are still required to have an emergency contact, and if anything went wrong of course the parents would be notified. I don't see anything wrong with it I am sorry. Too many babies having babies, too many moms hurting their babies because they were unwanted to begin with.

Quoting Nicola =):" It's ridiculous to me. As my child I should be notified of ANY medical procedure under the age of 18. They require my signature for other surgeries, and abortion shouldn't be any different."

actually no according to HIPPA you do not have the right to know that. our 16 year old patient's don't need mom's signature for a c-section or epidural

If a 10 year old parent is off getting pregnant... think of what the parents are like. Sometimes doing it on your own will be a million times better then letting your parents know.



Some kids have smurfing CRAZY parents. You have no idea what these parents will do to these kids.. just to keep an image.

another bit of food for thought. What if the baby belongs to one of the parents. maybe daddy rapes her. is mom or dad gonna sign off on something that would no doubt be investigated and result in prison time?

Quoting Nicola =):" It's ridiculous to me. As my child I should be notified of ANY medical procedure under the age of 18. They require my signature for other surgeries, and abortion shouldn't be any different."

no, they shouldn't, and aren't.

I think it's a great law.. it protects the privacy of the person getting the procedure done. It';s horrifying to think that a ten year old would ever need an abortion.. but if it happens.. there should be NO WAY possible for them to be forced to carry a baby.

To think otherwise... you should really stop and think about your child, and what's in her best interest

Quoting nursemaya (11weeks):" so your advocating then that a 10 year old should be forced to carry a baby to term, just because her ... [snip!] ... course be fully supportive of her so, I would guess she would tell me anyway and I could help her find follow-up care as well. "

well said

Quoting nursemaya (11weeks):" so your advocating then that a 10 year old should be forced to carry a baby to term, just because her ... [snip!] ... course be fully supportive of her so, I would guess she would tell me anyway and I could help her find follow-up care as well. "

I completely agree with this. It's really hard for me to see, considering at 10.. my biggest worry was what my barbie was wearing.

I dont think anyone should be forced to continue a pregnancy that they don't wish to. Some parents suck and would force even a 10 year old child to have their baby if they needed consent. That's just wrong. What kind of parents are they if their 10-year-old is getting knocked up, anyways?

Quoting nursemaya (11weeks):" so your advocating then that a 10 year old should be forced to carry a baby to term, just because her ... [snip!] ... course be fully supportive of her so, I would guess she would tell me anyway and I could help her find follow-up care as well. "

a 10 year child doesn't even know what she wants, m'aam.

Quoting ♥ inês:" a 10 year child doesn't even know what she wants, m'aam. "

A ten year olds body wouldnt hold a healthy pregnancy, a ten year old chose to have sex, and IMO, would be making the best decision by getting an abortion against her parents or not. I would say if you think the ten year old's parents should be able to step in and say no that them parents would be dumber than the 10 year old who is sexually active.