SamDec 4, 2022
Lucas Waldron

If you are a pregnant teen (<18) in any of the 36 states with a "parental-involvement" law, getting an abortion requires involving your parents or petitioning a judge for permission. Or you can travel out of state.

I made these maps for Lizzie Presser's incredible and infuriating story about teen access to abortion and the devastating impact of parental-involvement laws. https://www.propublica.org/article/how-states-limit-teen-access-to-abortion

She Wanted an Abortion. A Judge Said She Wasn’t Mature Enough to Make That Decision.

As abortion access dwindles, America’s “parental-involvement” laws place further restrictions on teenagers — who may need to ask judges for permission to end their pregnancies.

ProPublica
Nov 29, 2022 at 4:28pmWeb
Show threadVoronNov 29, 2022
@lucaswaldron how many people vote for judges? How many even know when that the next local judge is up for election?
Everyone who listens to local right wing talk radio does!
Show threadExtra SuperNov 29, 2022
@lucaswaldron crap, I didn’t know that Colorado had such a law. Thanks for sharing.
Show threadDavid A. DuttonNov 29, 2022
@lucaswaldron I think there should be a compromise in the law – meaning that parents should be notified, but should not be able to block a teen from getting an abortion. I don’t think it’s right to keep any parent in the dark, but I also don’t believe that a teenager, or anyone, should be denied an abortion. It’s also going to be pretty hard for a teen to go out of state without their parents knowing and provide a valid reason for going out of state.
Show threadBrian HawthorneNov 29, 2022
@ddutton @lucaswaldron In Massachusetts, pregnant people under the age of 18 are in the same category as emancipated minors. If a person is mature enough to get pregnant and mature enough to decide to seek medical care, I see no reason why their parents should be notified.
Show threadDavid A. DuttonNov 29, 2022

@bhawthorne

that’s the problem. They aren’t old enough to legally consent even to sex. I’m just saying that I disagree with those laws keeping parents in the dark, but I also don’t believe that anyone should be denied an abortion.

Show threadLucas WaldronNov 29, 2022
@ddutton @bhawthorne It's a tough issue with a lot of nuance! I think the story I linked really helps articulate how these laws can cause harm.
Show threadDavid A. DuttonNov 29, 2022
@lucaswaldron @bhawthorne exactly. It’s a really tough issue. Now the idea of abortion is not tough for me - that should be cut and dry. every woman, or girl, should be able to have an abortion, for any reason, up until the point when the fetus viable (usually months 7,8,9). Parents being kept in the dark is a complicated issue. I believe parent should know, but if some parents know, they could abuse thier child. so it’s a very tough issue.
Show threadBrian HawthorneNov 29, 2022
@ddutton I agree that nobody should be denied an abortion. Whether or not they are legally old enough to consent to sex depends on the laws of the country and state. In the USA, it varies from 16 to 18.
Show threadHunter, NPNov 29, 2022
@ddutton @lucaswaldron Such laws exist - in Colorado there is a law that requires parental/guardian notification but the person receiving abortion care does not need parent/guardian consent. That said - I think the CO law also does more harm than good. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-rocky-mountains/learn/abortion-care/colorados-parental-notification-law
Parental Notification | Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains

The Colorado Parental Notification Law requires health care providers to notify a parent or guardian of a minor’s scheduled abortion procedure.

Show threadHLGEMNov 29, 2022

@ddutton @lucaswaldron

My father sexually and emotionally abused me. I wouldn't tell him anything that was important to me.

Many parents will abuse a child if she turns up pregnant by some boy. Teens who don't tell their parents have good reasons for why they do not. They want to survive the telling. Or not be forced to marry their rapist as happened to one of my high school classmates.

I think parents have no right at all to know if a teen needs an abortion. It is not their body. If you are old enough to get pregnant, you are old enough to determine what happens to it.

Show threadDavid A. DuttonNov 29, 2022
@HLGEM @lucaswaldron and that’s the issue I wrestle with is abuse of the child. In the end, I always vote for teens to be able to get an abortion, and not let the parents know. That doesn’t mean I have to like it.
Show threadLiving in the SunNov 29, 2022
@lucaswaldron And the clinics that have moved here to New Mexico are having a hard time finding doctors. It's a very sad situation for women.
Show threadHLGEMNov 29, 2022
@lucaswaldron Good work. We need to work more on getting teens access, but until they do so, these maps are important.