Teen Abortion Essay Research Paper Adolescent abortion

Teen Abortion Essay, Research Paper

Adolescent abortion by Yvette R. Harris; Society August 1997

For teenagers facing abortion, it is a psychological, social, and philosophical

dilemma that must be encountered. After the Roe v Wade case in which the court

decided that a woman should have the right to choose, limited abortion rights

were granted to minors. As a result, numerous states enacted various forms of

parental notification and consent laws. In most states, the law requires that

parents of teenagers provide written approval of the minor’s decision to

terminate her pregnancy, or that they be notified by a physician. An on going

debate has continued regarding the notification of parents on abortion. Many

psychologists believe that parental notification can have a long-lasting impact

on the teenager’s physical and psychological well being, decision making

capability, and family relationships. Opponents believe that such notification

laws are unnecessary because a significant portion of teenagers confide in

their parents about pregnancy and would seek their advice on pregnancy options

and alternatives. Therefore, parents are already involved in providing

emotional and psychological support and assisting her in the decision making

process. Also, a small percentage of teens are living in abusive and unstable

situations at home and the laws would cause them to delay seeking termination of

their pregnancy because of the fear of the parental reaction. On the other

side, those who believe that parents should be notified argue that if parents

are notified, they will be there to provide support in dealing with the

psychological impact of abortion. They also argue that teenagers are not

experienced at making decisions for themselves and therefore will not make the

decision that is best for themselves and for their family. Information must be

obtained on the psychological effects of abortion on teenage mothers before any

federal law goes into existence on teen abortions.

Committee approves bill requiring girls to notify parents before an abortion by

Mark Silva; Tribune News Service April 1999

Statistics show that in the United States abortion is committed by many teenage

mothers. A bill was passed requiring a teenage girl to notify her parents

before having an abortion. The problem the bill faces is that there is a

Privacy Amendment in the Constitution that broadly protects women’s rights to

choose abortion. Sponsors of the bill argue the fact that in any other surgical

procedure, other than an emergency, doctors are required to notify the parents

before they do surgery. However, in many economically and education deprived

sections of the US, many teenagers are living in potentially violent families-

or a father who might even be responsible for his daughter’s pregnancy. In a

case like that, the father may be so enraged about a daughter’s decision to have

an abortion he may physically and sexually assault the teenager and thus

psychologically damaging the teen for life.

For some teens, abortion as a means of coping can become a stressor-Anne

Speckhard

By many teens, abortion is used as a coping mechanism for adolescents who are

not ready for parenthood. However, abortion for some teens can be the very

thing that causes stress. Over 20 percent of teens who have an abortion have

posttraumatic responses, including depression. This is because a teen who

becomes pregnant will form a strong attachment to the fetus. This causes many

problems because it causes a grief reaction that is difficult to overcome.

Teenagers who were traumatized by their abortion experience often say they felt

forced to have an abortion and that the experience was tremendously filled with

emotion. The posttraumatic response to an abortion is not dissimilar to any

other traumatic event like a car accident or the witness of a death. The

teenager will have flashbacks of feelings of attachment to the child and often

return to the place of the abortion, and even deny that the abortion even took

place. In many cases, some adolescents will resort to drugs and alcohol to

escape the flashbacks and be able to sleep. Also, many of the teenagers who do

have an abortion many times come back pregnant again and have another abortion.

Many girls fear punishment from g-d and the negative reaction to abortion may

not be met with much comfort.

My Reactions and Feelings

The topic of Teenage Abortion is very controversial and there are many questions

surrounding the moral and legal aspects of it. Although I will be expressing my

ideas and emotions on both sides, I will like to first give you my view on it.

I believe that abortion is wrong. In only some cases, that I will get into

later, I believe that abortion is ok.

Adolescent Abortion

In this article, the debate is whether or not parents should b

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