Reproductive Rights for Minors
Based on the state you live in minors can or can not access various reproductive health services without parental consent. These services include contraction,abortion,gynecologist visits,STD testing,and alcohol and drug testing. Finding common ground for minor rights and parental rights has risen an ethical dilemma for medicine and law. Most health care providers will turn down minors, because they do not approve of their sexual activity and believe sex education should be their parents responsibility. These heath care providers also believe minors do not have the capability or maturity to understand their reproductive rights. Minors should have access to reproductive health services without parental consent, because they should have the right to privacy, they have the maturity to actively seek medical services, and they will not have the fear of consequences,
The Facts
In 2013 46.8% of high school students are having sex
9.1 million cases of STDs are from 15-24 year olds.That's half of the cases in the US.They only represent 1/4th of the sexually active population.
The use of contraception in female teens have increased to 99.4% in 2011-2015
Supreme Court Cases
Carey V. Population Services International
Ruled a New York law unconstitutional stating the sale of contraption to persons under 16 is illegal. This law also violated the right to privacy.
Carey in Bolger V. Youngs Drug Products
Extended Carey v. Population Services International to states can not prohibit unsolicited mailing of birth control advertisements.
Ayotte V. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England
Challenged New Hampshire law stating abortions can not be performed on a minor until 48 hours after a parent is notified. This law did not acknowledge abortions that needed to be performed in a medical emergency. The court ruled this law or any law can not put women's health and safety at risk. Hodgson V. Minnesota
Ruled the law that stated minors had to notify both biological parents before having an abortion unconstitutional. This law did not take into consider cases when the biological parents are divorced, a parent did not have custody of the minor, or the minor did not know the biological parent(s). If the minor could not notify the biological parents the minor can go to court instead and get authorization.
City of Akron V. Akron Center for Reproductive Health
The court decided states can not unruly restrict women's access to abortions.
NC Laws
NC laws do not require minors to have parental consent to access contraception ,STI services, prenatal care, and adoption, but NC law does require parental consent for abortion services. If the minor does not wish to get parental consent they can instead go to court and get the proper authorization.