Parental Restrictions on Abortion
Portland, OR 97206
February 25, 2013
Governor John Kitzhaber
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem, Oregon 97301-4047
Dear Governor John Kitzhaber:
I am writing to you regarding state facts and restrictions on abortions in Oregon. A majority of states require parental involvement in a minor’s decision to have an abortion. I agree with most laws in Oregon concerning abortion rights; however, my concern is the law regarding the restriction or lack of, when it comes to parental involvement required for abortion, there is none. Most of these states only require the consent of one parent and usually a period of 24 or 48 hours before the procedure. In addition, a handful of states require that both parents are to give consent. (Guttmacher) Oregon is not one of them. I understand how that can be a problem because not every home has both parents, and the absent parent may have waived any parental rights to the child in question. In looking over state policies and overview of abortion laws state by state, I found myself becoming overwhelmed with all the states’ restrictions. Abortion laws codify, regulate, and limit whether, when or under, what circumstances a woman may obtain an abortion. I see many of these provisions can go un-noticed for debate by taxpayers. As an Oregonian and a parent, why are there no parent involvement restrictions on a child wanting to undergo such a serious procedure. I am asking you to reconsider and add parental notification or consent to the restrictions on abortion in the state of Oregon.
According to Guttmacher Institute, at fifteen-years-of-age, adolescents are able to decide for themselves if they want this procedure without the consent of the parent. (Guttmacher) At what age do you need parental consent to get a tattoo or piercing? One cannot legally drive at fifteen years-of-age. Moreover, a person cannot even vote until they are eighteen-years-of-age. Let’s think about the health factor here, abortion can cause serious
February 25, 2013
Governor John Kitzhaber
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem, Oregon 97301-4047
Dear Governor John Kitzhaber:
I am writing to you regarding state facts and restrictions on abortions in Oregon. A majority of states require parental involvement in a minor’s decision to have an abortion. I agree with most laws in Oregon concerning abortion rights; however, my concern is the law regarding the restriction or lack of, when it comes to parental involvement required for abortion, there is none. Most of these states only require the consent of one parent and usually a period of 24 or 48 hours before the procedure. In addition, a handful of states require that both parents are to give consent. (Guttmacher) Oregon is not one of them. I understand how that can be a problem because not every home has both parents, and the absent parent may have waived any parental rights to the child in question. In looking over state policies and overview of abortion laws state by state, I found myself becoming overwhelmed with all the states’ restrictions. Abortion laws codify, regulate, and limit whether, when or under, what circumstances a woman may obtain an abortion. I see many of these provisions can go un-noticed for debate by taxpayers. As an Oregonian and a parent, why are there no parent involvement restrictions on a child wanting to undergo such a serious procedure. I am asking you to reconsider and add parental notification or consent to the restrictions on abortion in the state of Oregon.
According to Guttmacher Institute, at fifteen-years-of-age, adolescents are able to decide for themselves if they want this procedure without the consent of the parent. (Guttmacher) At what age do you need parental consent to get a tattoo or piercing? One cannot legally drive at fifteen years-of-age. Moreover, a person cannot even vote until they are eighteen-years-of-age. Let’s think about the health factor here, abortion can cause serious
Cited: "American Civil Liberties Union." American Civil Liberties Union. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013. <http://www.aclu.org/reproductive-freedom/laws-restricting-teenagers-access-abortion>. Chapman E, Werner-Wilson R. DOES POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PREDICT ADOLESCENT ATTITUDES ABOUT SEXUALITY?. Adolescence[serial online]. Fall2008 2008;43(171):505-523. Available from: Health Source - Consumer Edition, Ipswich, MA. Accessed February 12, 2013. Guttmacher, Alan. "State Facts About Abortion: Definitions and Data Sources." State Facts About Abortion: Definitions and Data Sources. Guttmacher Institute, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. <http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/sfaa_sources.html>. .