The Advocates for Youth data reveals that currently, the majority of states, thirty-six as of June 2019, enforce laws that require a young person to notify or obtain consent from one or both parents before they can receive abortion care. Most young people faced with an unintended pregnancy have chosen to involve their parents.
But for those who cannot, those who do not have access to their parents, those afraid to anger or disappoint, or who face the threat of violence in their homes, it is best for them to seek the advice of a trained medical professional rather than to face the situation alone and afraid. It is important to educate and equip the youth with the proper tools to make informed decisions.
Furthermore, research has demonstrated that these laws, which may have a greater impact on young women of color and immigrant youth, can delay or prevent young people’s access to care, endangering their health and safety. Therefore, educating the youth on the impact of unplanned pregnancies and the consequences of abortion care can assist them in making better decisions.
Legislation has been introduced that can have a major effect on this area of law. For more information on current laws that govern abortion in different states across the country, it is important to consult with a lawyer who can provide information and advice related to the most current applicable laws.
What Is the Parental Involvement in Teenage Abortions?
Additionally, the Advocates for Youth describe the parental involvement that comes with teenage abortions. Parental involvement laws are defined into two categories: those that mandate parental notification and those that require parental consent before a young person seeks abortion services.
Parental notification laws require written notification to parents, usually 24 to 48 hours prior, by a medical provider, before a young person can receive abortion services. Moreover, the parental consent laws mandate that a young person obtain consent from one or both parents before an abortion can be performed.
The Supreme Court has ruled that states may not provide parents an absolute veto over their child’s decision to obtain an abortion. Most state parental involvement requirements encompass a judicial bypass procedure that requires a minor to receive court approval for an abortion without their parent’s knowledge or consent.
For instance, twenty-one states mandate parental consent for a minor’s abortion. Three of these (Kansas, Mississippi, and North Dakota) require both parents to consent.
Eight states require that the consent document be notarized. Eleven states require parental notification only. Five states require both consent and notification.
Additionally, twenty-one states require parental involvement even if the minor is a victim of incest. The only way for minors to access abortion without involving their parents in 36 states is via judicial bypass, where they must petition the courts for authorization.
As shown above, most states have nuances within the law and it is important to search for more information on this in an individual’s state. A lawyer can help an individual understand the laws and requirements in their state as well as determine what their options may be for seeking care.
What Are Some Factors Associated with Teenage Childbearing?
According to the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) under the Department of U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS), there are well-documented links between adolescent childbearing and individual, family, and community characteristics. For instance, the data reveals that adolescents who feel connected to and do well in school are less likely than other adolescents to have children.
Moreover, at the family level, youth who feel connected to and supported by their families are less likely to have sex and become pregnant. For example, among females ages 15-24, the probability of having had a birth before age 20 is higher for those whose mothers gave birth as teens and those whose mothers have lower levels of education.
In addition, the probability of having a birth before age 20 is lower for those who resided with both biological parents at age 14 than those with other living arrangements. At the community level, teens who have mentors and have a bond with their communities are less likely to engage in sexual activity. Additionally, those who live in communities with higher rates of substance abuse, violence, and hunger are more likely to start having sex early and to conceive a child.
The links between teen childbearing and family planning and socioeconomic characteristics may be affected by inequities in access to family planning services and information. There are differences in attitudes about contraception, teen pregnancy, and teen childbearing.
Furthermore, there is a distrust of medical professionals due to experiences with providers and some groups’ history of mistreatment by the medical field. Professionals working with youth should be informed of and acknowledge the historical reasons for disparities in adolescent reproductive health and childbearing that exist in the United States.
In an article authored by Harvard Health, the medical consequences of forcing teens to notify their parents can be significant. Teens tend to realize later than adults that they are pregnant.
Therefore, they are already off to a later start with decision-making. If they do not want to inform their parents or if they have to go in front of a judge, they often delay (or the system delays them) and end up with a second-trimester abortion, which is more dangerous both medically and psychologically than a first-trimester abortion. Teens may do things to try to induce an abortion, which can be very life-threatening.
Moreover, parents may understandably worry that their teen cannot make such an important decision without their input. However, studies reveal that teens are capable. And, it turns out that the majority of teens do communicate with their parents or a trusted adult, especially younger teens.
Teens that do not communicate with parents or another adult often have a reason, such as a history of family violence. Both parents and teens alike may find an attorney helpful, as they are also referred to as counselors, and they may be able to provide advice on the laws of the state as well as information on resources that may be available in their area.
What Effects Do Overturning Roe v. Wade Have on Teenage Abortion Rights?
Recently, the Supreme Court issued a decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, ending a 50 year holding that women had the right to make their own reproductive health care decisions without government interference. Instead, the decision placed the responsibility on the individual states to make laws governing abortion rights in the state.
Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, President Biden signed executive orders regarding reproductive rights, intended to:
- Safeguard access to reproductive health care services, including abortion and contraception
- Protect the privacy of patients and their access to accurate information
- Promote the safety and security of patients, providers, and clinics
- Coordinate the implementation of Federal efforts to safeguard reproductive rights and access to health care
The majority of states mandate that minors have parental consent for an abortion, as discussed above. However, legislation requiring parental involvement may not always achieve the intended benefit of promoting family communication, as it may increase the risk of harm to teens by delaying access to appropriate medical care.
As of 2025, president, Donald Trump, issued an executive order called, Enforcing the Hyde Amendment, that revokes the two orders signed by President Biden following the overturning of Roe v. Wade which provided federally protected access to reproductive health care. The current executive order leaves the issue to be decided by individual states.
There may be major variations in abortion laws in each state across the country. Certain states, including Alabama, Texas, and Idaho ban abortion. Different states place varying gestational limits on abortions, including:
- Florida: 6 weeks
- Iowa: 6 weeks
- North Carolina: 12 weeks
- Utah: 18 weeks
- Ohio: 22 weeks
- Wisconsin: 22 weeks
- Pennsylvania: 24 weeks
Other states, including California, Delaware, Illinois, and Washington have placed the limit at fetal viability. There are 9 states, including Alaska, Colorado, New Jersey, and Oregon that do not have gestational limits.
As the laws governing abortion issues will likely be undergoing changes in the future and with changing presidential administrations, it is important to consult with an attorney for information on the current state of the laws and advice on individual state laws.
When Do I Need to Contact a Lawyer?
If you are concerned about your reproductive rights as a teenager, do not hesitate to seek out a local family attorney in your area to assist you further with this issue. It is important for you to be able to access all of the health care information you can about abortions and the applicable laws in your state to make an informed decision.
Your lawyer can help you understand the laws in your state about whether or not you have to notify your parents or get approval from your parents for an abortion. An attorney can even give you information about resources that may be available to you for medical advice and health care.
By using LegalMatch, you can submit your question confidentiality and at no cost on the website in as little as 15 minutes. In around 24 hours, you will get messages from member family attorneys in your state who can help you get information and provide advice on available decisions and their consequences.
