Abortion Under 18 – Do I Have to Tell My Parents?
- Minors can get abortions.
- Depending on the region in which you reside, you may be required to tell your parents or even get their permission.
- This article lists the teen abortion laws country by country.
You may like:
- 🤰 “Am I Pregnant?” Take the Online Pregnancy Test!
- ⚖️ “Should I have an abortion?” Take the Abortion Test!
- 💰 How much does an abortion cost for a minor?
Pregnant under 18 – Self-Evaluation
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Teen Abortion – How Old Do You Have to Be to Get an Abortion?
There is no minimum age for an abortion. Teens have the option of getting an abortion.
Note: Some countries require parental consent or notification for minors. Other countries have no requirement of parental involvement. Sometimes, only one parent, or even a sibling, has to be notified.
Here are the abortion laws for minors in your country:
Abortion Laws for Teens – International Overview
South Africa:
- No parental involvement required.
Cambodia:
- Parental consent required for minors under 18.
Thailand:
- Parental consent required for minors under 18.
Australia:
- Parental consent required under 16. Your doctor determines whether parental consent is necessary between 16 and 18.
New Zealand:
- No parental involvement required.
Austria:
Germany:
Great Britain:
- No parental involvement required.
Italy:
Portugal:
Republic of Ireland:
- Parental consent required for minors under 16.
The Netherlands:
- Parental consent required for minors under 16. Between 16 and 18, the doctor decides whether a parental consent is necessary.
Northern Ireland:
- No parental involvement required.
Switzerland:
Canada:
- Parental consent required for minors under 14.
Mexico:
- Parental consent and accompaniment required for minors under 18.
USA:
- Alabama
- Consent is required from one parent.
- Alaska
- No parental involvement is required.
- Arizona
- Consent required from one parent.
- Arkansas
- Consent is required from one parent.
- California
- No parental involvement is required.
- Colorado
- Notification of one parent is required 48 hours before an abortion.
- Connecticut
- No parental involvement is required.
- Delaware
- Notification of one parent or mental health professional required 24 hours before the abortion, if under 16.
- Florida
- Notification of one parent is required 48 hours before an abortion.
- Georgia
- Notification of one parent is required 24 hours before an abortion.
- Hawaii
- No parental involvement is required.
- Idaho
- Consent required from one parent.
- Illinois
- Notification of one parent or grandparent is required 48 hours before an abortion.
- Indiana
- Consent required from one parent.
- Iowa
- Notification of one parent or grandparent is required 48 hours before an abortion.
- Kansas
- Consent required from both parents, unless under single custody.
- Kentucky
- Consent is required from one parent.
- Louisiana
- Consent is required from one parent.
- Maine
- No parental involvement required.
- Maryland
- Notification of one parent is required unless the minor does not live with the parents and has made an adequate attempt to reach them.
- Massachusetts
- Consent is required from one parent.
- Michigan
- Consent is required from one parent.
- Minnesota
- Notification of both parents 48 hours before the abortion.
- Mississippi
- Consent of both parents is required, unless single custody.
- Missouri
- Consent is required from one parent. Notification of other parent is required.
- Montana
- No parental involvement is required.
- Nebraska
- Consent is required from one parent.
- Nevada
- No parental involvement is required.
- New Hampshire
- Notification of one parent is required 48 hours before the abortion.
- New Jersey
- No parental involvement is required.
- New Mexico
- No parental involvement is required.
- New York
- No parental involvement is required.
- North Carolina
- Consent of one parent or grandparent is required with whom the minor has resided for at least six months.
- North Dakota
- Consent is required from both parents.
- Ohio
- Consent required from one parent, step-parent, grandparent, or sibling 21 or older.
- Oklahoma
- Consent is required from one parent. Notification is required 48 hours in advance.
- Oregon
- No parental involvement required.
- Pennsylvania
- Consent is required from one parent.
- Rhode Island
- Consent is required from one parent.
- South Carolina
- Consent is required from one parent or grandparent if under 17.
- South Dakota
- Notification of one parent is required 48 hours before the abortion.
- Tennessee
- Consent is required from one parent.
- Utah
- Consent required from one parent. Notification is required 24 hours in advance.
- Vermont
- No parental involvement is required.
- Virginia
- Consent is required from one parent, grandparent, or adult sibling with whom the minor lives. Notification is required 24 hours before the abortion.
- Washington
- No parental involvement is required.
- Washington DC
- No parental involvement is required.
- West Virginia
- Notification of one parent is required 24 hours before the abortion.
- Wisconsin
- Consent required from one parent, foster parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or sibling older than 25.
- Wyoming
- Consent is required from one parent. Notification required 24 hours before the abortion.
Anticipating Your Parents’ Reaction
Your parents probably have no idea about your pregnancy or that you are considering an abortion. You are anticipating their reaction. You may also be concerned that the news would disappoint or burden them. These thoughts and worries would make it difficult to know what to do.
It is hard to tell how your parents will react to the news about becoming grandparents. Often, the family’s response is much more positive than anticipated. Even if it comes to an initial outburst of anger, this does not have to be the final word.
Explosive reactions often give way to an attitude of “We can do this!” A decision to keep the baby is usually followed by joyful anticipation. In many cases, the grandparents-to-be offer unexpected support, deflating any tension. Could this become your story?
How Do I Tell My Parents That I Am Pregnant?
Whether your country requires you to inform your parents or not, you may be looking for ways to include them in your decision. Here are five tips on how to preparing for a conversation with your parents.
1. 👥 Seek Support
You may find it helpful to share your situation with someone you trust before approaching your parents (e.g., an older sister, a grandmother, an aunt, or a neighbor). Her reaction will probably be calmer since she is not your primary caregiver. Having this ally join the conversation will usually soften the overall tone.
2. 🤔 Choose Your Words Beforehand
During your conversation, your emotions may get the best of you and you forget what you want to say. Choose your words beforehand. It is even okay to bring your notes.
3. 🙏 Ask Your Parents for Their Support
One effective way of opening the conversation is by sharing with your parents that you are facing a difficult situation and need their support. Admit that it is not easy for you to talk about it. Ask them whether they are willing to be there for you.
Taking this preliminary step will pave the way for a gentler response.
4. 🧑/👨 Approach Just One Parent First
Which parent would you find easier to talk to about the news – mom or dad? It may be a good idea to confide in this parent first. You will then have someone to root for you when sharing with the parent who is more likely to explode.
5. 🕰 Give Them Time
Your parents may initially be dumbfounded and may not know how to respond. Give them time to come to terms with the news, rather than expecting them to take an immediate stance. This will allow them to choose their words and position carefully.
- ✅ This also allows you to think through specific concerns - Take the Solutions Finder Test!
Can a Minor Be Forced to Have an Abortion?
You may be wondering whether your parents can force you to have an abortion. Perhaps someone else is pressuring you. You may still be unsure which way to decide, or you may have decided to keep the baby.
Knowing that coerced abortion is a criminal offense is probably a relief. Neither your parents, the father of the child nor anyone else is allowed to force you to have an abortion.
If staying in your home under these circumstances becomes too difficult, you have several options, including moving to a maternity home.
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💪 Do I have what it takes? Take the Strengths Finder Test!
Teen, Pregnant, and Scared – Now What?
You had probably not anticipated having a baby at this stage in life. This pregnancy poses a huge challenge. Where do you even start?
Can you think of someone to turn to? Someone who would help you discover your deepest desires? Someone who would strengthen your resolve when things get tough?
Whether you are fortunate enough to have this kind of support or not, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Allow us to walk alongside you as you discover your unique path. Our resources provide you with a judgement-free setting in which you can discern the choice that just right for you:
- ⚖️ Wondering whether to have an abortion or not? Take the Abortion Test!
- 🤰 Am I Pregnant? Take the Online Pregnancy Test!
- ⛑ Unsure where to go from here? Take the First Aid Test!
Disclaimer:
While profemina seeks to provide you with the most up-to-date information possible, we do not guarantee the accuracy of these statistics, as teen abortion laws can change rapidly.
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