The abortion process is not as easy and simple as many people think. Abortion is a medical procedure that involves the removal of a zygote or fetus from the womb of an animal or human being. Abortion does not involve magic spells but rather procedures that could have significant physical and psychological trauma on the victim. Most victims of abortions suffer from heavy bleeding, painful cramps, and in serious cases puncture of internal reproductive organs such as the uterus.
With this in mind, it is not advisable to permit teenage girls to procure abortion procedures without the consent of their parents or guardians. This paper seeks to analyze the cons of teenage girls undergoing abortions without the consent of their parents or guardians.
It is the right of every parent to know what happens in the life of his or her child. Thus, when a teenage girl intends to obtain an abortion notifying the parents is important. This not only makes them aware of what goes on in the life of their child, but they also have the opportunity of advising their teenage girl on the best option (Donohoe 1). In most nations, the legal consent of parents is required before minors undergo any medical procedures. Thus, teenage girls must get the consent of their parents or guardians before undergoing an abortion procedure as one way of fulfilling the law. “In a study conducted by the Heritage Foundation in the United States, revealed that involving parents-in-law governing teenagers tremendously reduced the number of teenage abortions carried out” (Collet 1).
As mentioned earlier in the paper, there is no guarantee of safety in abortion procedures. Several abortions have had significant negative impacts on the bodies and health of the victims. It is therefore important for parents or guardians of a teenage girl to be aware of any planned abortion and give their consent on the same. This is because most often than not, the parents of the teenager have the financial obligation of meeting the costs of any corrective procedures to be taken in case of complications arising from the abortion. In some instances, abortion complications could lead to complete infertility of the teenage girl or even death.
Thus, the parents or guardians of the teenage girl ought to be aware of the planned abortion and explain the possible consequences of abortion to the girl (Donohoe 1). Having in mind the possible consequences of abortion on their teenage girls, most parents will be against the procedure. In fact, studies indicate that most parents will advise their teenage girls to keep the pregnancy to term and promise to take care of them and their newborns upon birth. Given the fact, that most teenage girls opt to undertake abortions because of fear of their parents, discussing with parents helps them get parental support.
Upon getting pregnant, some teenage girls opt to keep the pregnancy to term and raise their baby. However, their boyfriends pressure the teenage girls to terminate the pregnancy to avoid being convicted for statutory rape. In most countries, the laws are such that those found guilty of impregnating teenage girls be prosecuted. This, therefore, prompts most boys to force their teenage girlfriends to undertake abortions in case they fall pregnant. As such, teenage girls must notify their parents or guardians instead of undertaking the abortion procedure without their consent. The parents could decide to talk with both the girl and boy and counsel them on the cons of abortion (Collet 1).
They could also guide them to become young parents hence dismissing the idea of undertaking an abortion. Having the consent of parents is also important in instances of rape of a teenage girl. This is because the parents can take legal actions against the rapist and have him punished. This prevents him from repeating the offence as well as acting as a lesson to other men in the society who may have similar plans (Dennis et al. 2). This reduces cases of rape hence making society safe for teenage girls. On the other hand, if the raped teenage girl shuts up and undertakes the abortion without the consent of her parents or guardians, the rapist will forever remain free and could commit the rape again if not punished
Finally, yet importantly, there are allegations that teenage girls who decide to undergo concealed abortions always resort to methods that are unsafe and cheap. This is because, they have little, or no money at all to afford quality abortion procedures in accredited healthcare centers. They instead opt to acquire cheap services offered by quacks. Instances of complications are more rampant in abortions carried out by quacks than those carried out by experienced personnel. As such, teenage girls must notify their parents or guardians before undertaking an abortion to have their consent. The parents will take the teenage girl to experienced personnel for quality services hence avoiding cases of complications.
Works Cited
Collet, Teresa. Parental Consent on Abortion Protects Young Women’s Health. 2012. Web.
Dennis, Amanda et al. The Impact of Laws Requiring Parental Involvement for Abortion: A Literature Review, New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2009. Print.
Donohoe, Martin. Parental Notification and Consent Laws for Teen Abortions: Overview and 2006 Ballot Measures. 2007. Web.