There are so many things kids need their parents' signature for. Schools send out permission slips for school trips. When getting anything on your body pierced or a tattoo your parents must sign first. When getting a checking account at the bank, your parent signs and their name is on the account until your 18. Some states say you need your parent's permission to visit a tanning salon. You need permission to give blood. You need parental consent to get birth control pills (in most states). The list goes on and on. Until your of legal age, you need your parents signature for everything except getting an abortion.
Right now, in most states (varying from state to state), it is legal for a girl under the age of 18 to walk in and get an abortion. Some states require the parent's signature. Some states say that you don't need your parents permission, you just have to tell them. Anyone can say they did, but really didn't! However, there is a process called Judicial Bypass. It is an order from a judge allowing a minor to have an abortion without the consent of her parents. It can be passed under ONE these conditions:
1.The minor is mature and sufficiently well informed about her pregnancy options to make the decision without a parent or legal guardian being involved.
2.It is not in the minor's best interest for the parent or legal guardian to be notified.
3.Notification of a parent or legal guardian could lead to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of the minor.
The process never goes on record. There is no evidence of the case being filed with any information such as her name or what she said.
How can a pregnant minor get a Judical Bypass?
1.If she knows someone in the courthouse, it can be set up.
2.She must have a sonogram/ultrasound to confirm her pregnancy.
3.She must receive counseling on her different pregnancy options.
Twenty nine out of Fifty states in our country allow this. Most states say that a minor doesn't need to tell their parents,. Other say that they need to tell or have the consent of one parent. I don't think that's enough.
I believe that if you're going to get the permission of your parents to have an abortion, one parent should go to the clinic and sign a form there. Anyone can say "I told my parents" and avoid the situation all together. Although, I believe abortion is wrong, I think this would be a much better solution.
Teens need to be aware of the risks of abortion. Some include breast cancer, plecenta previa, infertility, emotional trauma (grief, depression, anger, sexual disfunction, eating disorders, increased alcohol and drug abuse, anxiety, and even suicide). "The Morning After Pill" can cause nausea, pain, diarrhea, bone marrow depression, liver damage, lung disease, heavy bleeding for as long as 40 days.
It just seems rediculous that you need permission for all the small things in life, except for one huge decision...abortion.
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