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Decision Making Regarding Teenage Pregnancy and Abortion

Autor:   •  December 2, 2017  •  2,705 Words (11 Pages)  •  749 Views

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There are also exceptions from parental consent for minors. According to the California Department of Public Health a minor 12 years or older that seems capable of giving and informed consent is able to receive some health care including family planning, sexual assault services, abortion and prenatal care (2007). Under the Title X of the Public Health Service Act, family planning clinics are required to provide services with regard to age or martial status. No clinic may require parental consent or notifications. An emancipated minor, is declared by court to be independent and responsible to make legal decision for themselves. By law this allows the minor to make decisions legally for themselves. “Emancipation is a process that offers adolescents a solution to serve in the role of an adult in circumstances that warrant the need for more autonomy” (Lane, & Kohlenberg, 2012, p. 533). “Emancipated minors relinquish the right to parental support, and they are expected to be self-supporting” (Maradiegue, 2003, p. 171). Another exemption is when a court determines that the minor has the maturity to make independent decisions, based on the adolescents claim and behavior, this is known as judicial bypass. “Judicial bypass has consistently allowed minors another option to consent for care in states with parental notification or parental consent requirements for adolescents seeking abortion” (Maradiegue, 2003, p. 172). Recent polls show that “seven in ten Americans say women should have the right to choose abortion. But despite what their constituents advocate, right-wing conservatives continue to legislate the state and federal level to make abortion difficult, if not impossible, to obtain” (Gajewski, 2015, p. 48).

Now looking at the other perspective, in recent years Congress and several state legislatures have considered requiring publicly funded clinics to involve partners and parents before providing care to minors (Zavodny, 2004). Frost and Osklak’s (1999) study noted “79% of teenage pregnant participants thought that if a law were enacted requiring minors to obtain parental consent prior to an abortion, it would present a major obstacle for teenagers seeking abortion” (p. 18). Some organizations including U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Concerned Women for America advocates for parental involvement laws. These organizations explain that “giving minors the right to consent to sexual health services without their parents’ knowledge undermine parental authority and family values and are tantamount to condoning early sexual activity” (Jones & Boonstra, 2004, p. 183). Research also concludes that legislators argue that any individual under the age of 18 isn’t capable in making a rational and life-changing situation such as abortion. They state, no child or teenager should have to make that decision alone nor are they qualified and that’s why laws are in place for minors.

Although there are many factors that aid in the legal and ethical aspects of parental vs. adolescent decision-making, it’s important to note guarantees of confidentiality to minor consent vary from state to state, as well as their laws on parental consent to minor care.

Clinical Implications

The findings of these studies and research are important to nursing practice, especially those that include the care of pediatric adolescents and obstetrics. During a nurses’ career, it is highly likely that they maybe involved in the care of a pregnant teenager, who has considered using abortion as a method to terminate the pregnancy. They may be involved during the initial visit to explore options, the consolation, pre-procedure care, intra-op termination procedure, or after the procedure. The role of the nurse is essential during any time of contact throughout the decision process, as they are patient advocates, educators, listeners, and providers. This legal topic impacts nursing practice because when the teen seeks medical help for this situation, the nurse must know whether the parents need to be contacted and notified. It’s essential know who is legally capable of making the ultimate decision, and who can consent. The involvement of minors and their rights are important to note when decisions especially those involved in the healthcare system, as the extent to which parents are involved in their adolescent children’s sexual and reproductive health decisions varies considerably and is a complicated issue.

Because of recent advancements in knowledge, equipment, research, teen pregnancy and the use of abortion to resolve unintended pregnancy has declined steadily, are are now at the lowest point in all 50 states since they were first measured in the early 1970s- (although it’s important to note data still indicates a large disparities of prevalence, despite the decline.) Education given to the patient from the nurse is a major contribution factor to these statistics, and if done correctly, educating for preventing can continue to contribute to this trend. “Regardless of the legal status of abortion, prevention of induced abortion remains a key objective” (Koch, 2015 p.71). Prevention is an important role in the preventions of adolescent pregnancy and childbearing. It helps decrease the amount of unwanted pregnancies and decisions that are made with the pregnancy, which ultimately decreases the need for abortions. “This makes it all the more important to improve contraceptive access and to emphasize the counseling of youth about effective contraceptive use and pregnancy prevention. Such a course will help to reduce the number of teenagers who find themselves in a position that can result only in their “choosing” to bear an unintended child.” (Frost & Oslak, 1999, p. 20). This occurs all around the world, nobody is of an exception. A study of Chilean women, found individuals with unplanned, vulnerable pregnancies are at risk for abortion. Another study preformed in Sweden at Sunderby Hospital, interviewed six women deciding to preform a second trimester abortion. They concluded form results that each woman noted, that information and education given by the medial team was the most important during this vulnerable situation. If not already, prevention and education provided by nurses should be implemented into the care and health of all adolescents, whether they are sexually active or not.

When treating for an adolescent who is about to have an abortion, or who has already had an abortion, there are physical and psychological health consequences that are involved. As a nurse, it’s important to address and teach the patient about these issues. “In 2012, an estimated 51,500 induced abortions were performed in Senegal, and 16,700 (32%) resulted in complications that were treated at health facilities”

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