Planned Parenthood of Illinois strives for teen awareness of options
Fae Rabin
Issue date: 9/21/09 Section: Features
Senior Vice President of External Affairs, Beth Kantor, commented, "Most teens do talk to their parents when making decisions about healthcare, but in some cases, that kind of communication is not possible. It's in those cases that mandatory parental notification laws don't help that parent-teen communication. A teen is not communicating with her parent because there could be something within that relationship that could put that teen in jeopardy if she told them."
A hearing through the Judicial Bypass Process is not the only option teens have, "...Imagine yourself as a 16 year old, not many people want to go before a judge and ask for a waiver," added Kantor.
The Planned Parenthood of Illinois is committed to fully complying with the law, but expressed that, "If our government and the courts really care about our teenage sons and daughters, it should focus on giving them the information they need to make responsible decisions and continue to encourage healthy family communication, not erect barriers to critical health care services.
Counseling is provided for all patients seeking an abortion, and regularly updated information regarding the Parental Notice of Abortion Act is available at www.ppil.org.
A hearing through the Judicial Bypass Process is not the only option teens have, "...Imagine yourself as a 16 year old, not many people want to go before a judge and ask for a waiver," added Kantor.
The Planned Parenthood of Illinois is committed to fully complying with the law, but expressed that, "If our government and the courts really care about our teenage sons and daughters, it should focus on giving them the information they need to make responsible decisions and continue to encourage healthy family communication, not erect barriers to critical health care services.
Counseling is provided for all patients seeking an abortion, and regularly updated information regarding the Parental Notice of Abortion Act is available at www.ppil.org.
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