While it is certainly true that teenagers can benefit from the advice and support of caring adults, parental consent laws can be harmful to teens, create family strife, and actually pose a danger to pregnant teens' health. Parental consent laws are based on the premise that teenage women are incapable of making an informed decision when it comes to abortion. In 28 states, teenage mothers can independently make all health care decisions for their children. Rather than protecting the health of teenagers, parental consent laws can actually jeopardize it by causing delays. Although abortion is a safe procedure, the risk of complications goes as the pregnancy progresses.
Teenagers already delay abortions and consent laws can mean additional waits of days to weeks.
States that enforce parental consent or notification laws, such as Minnesota and Missouri, have seen increases in the percentage of teenagers requiring second trimester abortions. Also, women may choose to travel to another state rather than tell their parents or go to court. These women are getting health care far away from home and are forced to travel immediately after the procedure, increasing their risk of complications. Parental consent laws can also be harmful to teens and their families in other ways. The percentage is higher for younger teens and gets lower as women approach 18.