Functional Parenting and Dysfunctional Abortion Policy: Reforming Parental Involvement Legislation

50 Family Court Review 241 (2012)

Univ. of San Francisco Law Research Paper No. 2011-30

19 Pages Posted: 10 Nov 2011 Last revised: 8 May 2012

See all articles by Maya Manian

Maya Manian

American University - Washington College of Law

Date Written: October 31, 2011

Abstract

Abortion-related parental involvement mandates raise important family law issues about the scope of parents’ power over their children’s intimate decisions. While there has been extensive scholarly attention paid to the problems with parental involvement laws, relatively little has been said about strategies for reforming these laws. This article suggests using insights from family law relating to functional parenthood and third party caregiving as a basis for crafting more capacious methods of ensuring adult guidance for teenage girls facing an unplanned pregnancy. Recent developments in family law bolster the case for reforming parental involvement legislation to allow teenagers to consult with designated adults other than parents or judges. Enlisting other trusted members of the community to assist pregnant teenagers should assuage those who want to guarantee that adolescents consult with an adult in a time of crisis, while also protecting teenagers who reasonably fear discussing pregnancy with their parents.

Keywords: abortion, teen pregnancy, parental involvement laws, parental consent laws, family law

Suggested Citation

Manian, Maya, Functional Parenting and Dysfunctional Abortion Policy: Reforming Parental Involvement Legislation (October 31, 2011). 50 Family Court Review 241 (2012), Univ. of San Francisco Law Research Paper No. 2011-30, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1957402

Maya Manian (Contact Author)

American University - Washington College of Law ( email )

4300 Nebraska Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
United States

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