It is ironic that while a teenager must obtain parental consent for a procedure as small as having her ears pierced, it can put her life at risk (and even such as that of your unborn child) and obtain an abortion, no parental notification is required. If a teenager, due to his immaturity and inexperience in decision making, cannot enroll in the school of his choice without the signature and consent of his parents, how can he be expected to independently come to a decision regarding an issue as serious as whether to have an abortion? Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayIt is also strikingly ironic that the same parents who would be required by law to provide extended financial and medical assistance to the child, if any aspect of the abortion went wrong and left her, say, paralyzed or in a coma and the same parents who may be obligated by law to support a child born to their child (if the teenager has not chosen to procure an abortion) these same parents are not themselves protected by law to help the child decide whether to carry the pregnancy to term . Parental consent or notification should be required for minor abortions. Studies have indicated that the effects of abortion on adolescents are greater than the effects on adults (Gillham, 1997). These procedures are very risky for any woman. Complications for the mother occur in one of four legal adult abortions; among adolescents the risk increases substantially to one in three. Furthermore, the fact that 2 to 5 percent of abortions result in infertility may not bother a woman in her thirties, but it could have devastating effects on a young teenager's relationships and future marriage plans (Gillham). So, saying that parents would protect their children from pain and irreparable injuries is not unreasonable. Contrary to public belief, there is no safe abortion. About 258 physical complications can occur in an induced abortion, including hemorrhage; shock; brain damage; septicemia; cerebral, cardiac or pulmonary embolism (Gall, 1992). According to a study of induced abortions among adolescents, published by the University of California School of Social Welfare, adolescents experience profound psychological effects in the period following abortion (SSWUC, 1995). Severe depression, crying fits, massive social withdrawal, and even suicide, among other symptoms, have been cited as directly related to teen abortion. No parent would want to see their daughter in that state of mind. One way or another, parents are involved in the financial issues that arise from teen abortions. For example, two days ago a minor girl had an illegal abortion. His parents were not informed. The minor child starts having complications due to abortions, now medical attention is needed. She rushed to hospital and while there her parents are asked what happened. They can't answer because they don't know what happened to their child. Now, since the child is a minor, the parents are forced to pay the hospital bills. Therefore, the same parents held responsible for their financial obligations deserve to be informed when an important decision is made regarding their minor child, namely to have an abortion. A provision of the Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act of 1982 requires that for a minor to have an abortion, he or she must obtain the informed consent of one of his or her parents. It also provides a bypass option, 1992).