| Frequently Asked Questions |
Q: Are abortions legal in the United States?
A: Yes. In 1973, in two landmark decisions, Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, the United States Supreme Court declared that a woman's constitutional right to privacy guarantees her the right to have an abortion if she chooses. |
Q: Is parental consent required?
A: The Supreme Court has ruled that laws requiring parental consent are invalid unless the law provides an alternative procedure whereby a minor can obtain authorization from a judge or some other public officer without her parent's knowledge. In such a case, the judge or officer must grant permission if he/she believes the minor is "mature" or, if the minor is found not to be mature, that the abortion is in her "best interests." |
Q: Is parental notification required?
A: H.B. 179, the Delaware Parental Notice Bill was passed June 30, 1995 by the State Legislature. The law applies to girls under 16 seeking an abortion, and allows abortion providers to notify parents, grandparents, psychiatrists, psychologists, or state licensed mental health workers. If the teen chooses not to have her parent(s) or grandparent(s) notified, the mental health worker must certify that he/she has performed an assessment of the minor. The judicial bypass provides for review by a master of family court, who will allow the procedure if he/she determines that the girl is mature enough to make the decision on her own or if he/she determines that an abortion is in the best interest of the girl. |
Q: Shouldn't parents be involved in their children's decisions?
A: Ideally, parents should be involved in young people's decisions, and Planned Parenthood's policy is to encourage parental involvement. Studies show Planned Parenthood affiliates are far more likely than other family planning providers to encourage parental involvement.
Planned Parenthood believes that parents should assume responsibility for fostering a relationship with their children that encourages communication and trust. The consequences of requiring minors to involve their parents in decisions about sex and sexuality are often tragic. Those faced with an unwanted pregnancy may resort to illegal or self-induced abortions and even suicide rather than tell their parents they are pregnant.
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Q: Don't most people oppose abortion?
A: Most people support legal abortions. Most independent public opinion surveys indicate that a majority of Americans believe that abortion should remain legal, and that only a woman and her doctor should be involved in the decision whether to have an abortion. |
Q: Isn't Planned Parenthood pro-abortion?
A: Planned Parenthood is pro-choice. We support every woman's right to choose to have an abortion. Planned Parenthood counsels women on all available alternatives when they are faced with an unwanted pregnancy. |
Q: Doesn't sexuality education encourage young people to experiment with sex?
A: No. National studies show that students who have had sexuality education are no more likely to have had sexual intercourse than those without sexuality education. Those who have had sexuality and contraceptive education, however, have lower rates of unintended teenage pregnancy. An HEW/HHS study indicates that sexuality education programs do increase students' knowledge about sexuality, but do not change students' personal values which guide their behavior. |
Q: Isn't sexuality education opposed by a majority of the public?
A: No. Sexuality education is endorsed by a large majority of Americans. One national poll indicates that 80% of Americans favor teaching sexuality education in schools. 39% believe it should be taught to students aged 10 or less; 59% believe it should be taught to students aged 11 and 12. |
Q: Is parental consent or notification required for contraceptives?
A: No law presently requires parental consent or notice for contraceptive care. In Carey v. Population Services International, the Supreme Court held that minors cannot be banned from purchasing over-the-counter contraceptives. A federal court of appeals held that the Constitution does not guarantee parents the right to be notified before a state-operated family planning clinic gives their children prescription contraceptives. The Supreme Court denied review of this decision. |
Q: Doesn't providing contraceptive services encourage young people to be sexually active?
A: No. Most teenagers who come to a family planning clinic already have been having sexual intercourse for nine months to a year, often without using effective contraception or without using contraception consistently. Teenagers say they don't use contraceptives because contraceptives are not available or because they think they cannot become pregnant because of the time of the month, their age, or the infrequency of intercourse. |
Q: Does the Pill cause cancer?
A: No. Extensive research involving hundreds of thousands of Pill users covering a span of many years has produced no evidence that currently marketed Pills cause cancer in women who take them. In fact, the data now show that use of the Pill for even one year offers some protective effect against developing cancer of the ovaries or of the lining of the uterus in later life. |
