In this same year, adolescents (15–19 years of age) accounted for 13.5% of all abortions. 14 In 2011, the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy reported 553 000 teen pregnancies. 14 Of those pregnancies, 25% (176 000) were terminated by elective abortion. In 2009, 705 000 teenagers 15 to 19 years of age became pregnant.
The AAP is foremost an advocate of strong family relationships and holds that parents are generally supportive and act in the best interests of their children. This statement affirms the value of parental involvement in decision-making by adolescents and the importance of productive family communication in general. The AAP acknowledges and respects the diversity of beliefs about abortion. Beliefs about abortion are deeply personal and are shaped by class, culture, religion, and personal history as well as the current social and political climate. This statement does not discuss the philosophical or religious issues related to abortion. 8 This statement does not duplicate the extensive analysis in that report but presents a summary of pertinent current information related to the benefits and risks of legislation requiring mandatory parental involvement in an adolescent’s decision to obtain an abortion. The AAP supports the recommendations presented by the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs of the American Medical Association in its report on mandatory parental consent to abortion. In this statement, the AAP reaffirms its position on the protection of the rights of adolescents to confidential care when considering abortion.
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