General Discussion

krispos42

(49,445 posts)

37. Can the parents force her to go through with this if there are no health issues for the mother?

Reply to The Straight Story (Original post)

Mon Jan 9, 2012, 01:35 PM

Jan 2012

I understand that the parents have guardianship, and thus can agree or disagree to have medical procedures done. But there must be a limit, right?

For example, could the parents force their daughter to get, say, breast implants? Or have an IUD installed? Or her tubes tied? Or her stomach stapled, assuming she wasn't an unhealthy weight?

This is a really difficult one.

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Girl, 14, Sues Family to Stop Abortion [View all] The Straight Story Jan 2012 OP

That's a tough one salvorhardin Jan 2012 #1

I am not sure that a challenged 14 year old is a "woman" I am glad I am not the judge Vincardog Jan 2012 #2

Legally she is a minor and has limited rights. MedicalAdmin Jan 2012 #18

Let's hope it is not the grandfather to be Vincardog Jan 2012 #21

OR anyone over the age of 18 for that matter... MedicalAdmin Jan 2012 #56

She could run out the clock itsrobert Jan 2012 #107

That's what I thought too. MedicalAdmin Jan 2012 #158

Not an angle I would take joeglow3 Jan 2012 #173

Exactly. MedicalAdmin Jan 2012 #178

Agreed. joeglow3 Jan 2012 #179

Well she can get herself emancipated and go on her own... snooper2 Jan 2012 #3

I have been told on other topics that a 14 year old cannot be held responsible for their actions. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #13

I would guess that the vast majority of people who say that... LanternWaste Jan 2012 #76

the fact is go to any of the threads about Lawrence King dsc Jan 2012 #113

Well, you see, Charlemagne Jan 2012 #87

I can see no happy outcome here Warpy Jan 2012 #19

That's the road my thoughts were going down salvorhardin Jan 2012 #34

I have a cousin who was shoved into a shotgun marriage at 15 Warpy Jan 2012 #45

If it is "Crisis Pregnancy Centers" they will coddle her MattBaggins Jan 2012 #62

And after they traffic the baby musette_sf Jan 2012 #105

so do i. barbtries Jan 2012 #58

It is a cousin that claims she is mentally unstable. I don't see in the linked article that a Arkansas Granny Jan 2012 #112

Is it the same cousin that grabbed her neck, hit her face, threatened to beat her if she aborted? uppityperson Jan 2012 #142

I didn't see enough info in the article to know for sure if it was the same cousin or not. Arkansas Granny Jan 2012 #155

yup. Had a friend run across some of those foul people. uppityperson Jan 2012 #156

As long as her family can legally disown her and any financial obligation to her, let her choose. Lance_Boyle Jan 2012 #4

Would you say the same if this was a teen being forced to continue a pregnancy? n/t FedUpWithIt All Jan 2012 #14

The same would not apply, because the only burden imposed on the family on that case Lance_Boyle Jan 2012 #41

The burden will then likely go to the State. nt Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #15

It *ought* to go to the 'choose life' group making her case Lance_Boyle Jan 2012 #42

This case is going to bring up a lot of issues. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #46

I think that the issue of custody of a child that is born would be another issue ehrnst Jan 2012 #39

Thankfully. our court sysem tells Pontius Pilates to piss off. MattBaggins Jan 2012 #63

a child is an "unwanted burden" wow, that's cold blooded leftyohiolib Jan 2012 #68

Oh? Says who? lapislzi Jan 2012 #82

Some child/women cannot take care of their children nor themselves. It's a tragedy for all. kiranon Jan 2012 #120

rationalize away if that makes you feel better but i stand by my statement leftyohiolib Jan 2012 #130

fine, take your warm heart and YOU raise all the unwanted children of other people Scout Jan 2012 #133

Odd things about unwanted burdens... LanternWaste Jan 2012 #77

And sometimes they become abused and neglected. ehrnst Jan 2012 #88

Sometimes A, sometimes B... LanternWaste Jan 2012 #93

I'm glad it worked out for you. ehrnst Jan 2012 #99

Those two sets of laws aren't related treestar Jan 2012 #106

"Mentally unstable" no_hypocrisy Jan 2012 #5

The issue will indeed come down to competency. ehrnst Jan 2012 #9

I'll be the judge here. It's her choice. Okthxbai! Zalatix Jan 2012 #11

I agree - and in reality, no one will give her an abortion ehrnst Jan 2012 #80

This is the flip side argument I have used against parental notification laws loyalsister Jan 2012 #75

And this Republican judge will have to use all the Pro-choice arguments ehrnst Jan 2012 #81

What I got from the linked article, it was a cousin who described her as mentally unstable. Arkansas Granny Jan 2012 #114

Do you think the lawyers representing her would represent a 14-year-old joeybee12 Jan 2012 #6

Her lawyers are from a right-to-life group, so no, they would not represent her Lance_Boyle Jan 2012 #7

I should have added this... joeybee12 Jan 2012 #8

It's ridiculous that anti-choicers are being picked to protect a girl's freedom of choice. Zalatix Jan 2012 #12

They are anti-choice lawyers with an agenda against abortion, not pro-'choice' ehrnst Jan 2012 #17

Well, what can you say? Where are the pro-choicers to have her back? Zalatix Jan 2012 #183

Well, and that's another sad part of this- Raffi Ella Jan 2012 #26

No, but maybe it would've been nice if the ACLU had gotten there first... Hippo_Tron Jan 2012 #168

I support her. RandySF Jan 2012 #10

I agree with your statement, but... Wait Wut Jan 2012 #22

If bodily harm was the issue, I would agree. RandySF Jan 2012 #30

Yeah, I'm just going to ignore the parent's idiotic claims. Wait Wut Jan 2012 #53

The judge has assigned an attorney to her ehrnst Jan 2012 #89

This message was self-deleted by its author moriah Jan 2012 #32

Yes. Wait Wut Jan 2012 #51

This message was self-deleted by its author moriah Jan 2012 #60

I agree with you on parental consent. Wait Wut Jan 2012 #65

Girls must prove competency to get an abortion against their parent's wishes in TX. ehrnst Jan 2012 #24

There is also her health to consider - by definition, it's a high risk pregnancy. ehrnst Jan 2012 #28

She's 14 and a minor KansDem Jan 2012 #31

No, she can't sign contracts, drive, drink, but.... Moonwalk Jan 2012 #67

Fantastic post n/t Tsiyu Jan 2012 #180

Those have been established to be different from reproductive decisions ehrnst Jan 2012 #84

ehhh I dont know Charlemagne Jan 2012 #90

Supporting the individual's right to choose is not predicated on our own personal opinions... LanternWaste Jan 2012 #78

Too many variables to make a decision. Wait Wut Jan 2012 #16

Forced abortion is just as disgusting as forced pregnancy. moriah Jan 2012 #20

yes, Raffi Ella Jan 2012 #29

Agree completely. n/t FedUpWithIt All Jan 2012 #50

yes Charlemagne Jan 2012 #91

At 14, without family support - she won't be able to parent that baby. ehrnst Jan 2012 #159

A choice not to abort is not the same as a choice to parent. And there is the baby daddy. moriah Jan 2012 #162

That's how others here seem to be defining 'forced abortion.' Let me clarify: ehrnst Jan 2012 #169

And no one is taking the provider to court -- but the parents. moriah Jan 2012 #171

I think that we agree on most things - except what is being presented in this discussion. ehrnst Jan 2012 #172

my post was #20. ;) It'd been here awhile and you'd been pretty active on the thread after. moriah Jan 2012 #177

It's not a hard case at all- Raffi Ella Jan 2012 #23

It's interesting to have pro-life attorneys representing MineralMan Jan 2012 #27

Neither parent nor judge can force a clinic to perform an abortion on her - no clinic would do that. ehrnst Jan 2012 #175

Would you say the same if she was e.g a 9-year-old refusing life-saving cancer surgery? Donald Ian Rankin Jan 2012 #122

ok, so... Raffi Ella Jan 2012 #136

"Think" as opposed to "am totally certain of". Donald Ian Rankin Jan 2012 #138

Frankly, Raffi Ella Jan 2012 #141

A 14 year old is *not* a woman. Donald Ian Rankin Jan 2012 #160

I'm not interested in this Raffi Ella Jan 2012 #161

Now there's a case that brings a lot of questions to the table. MineralMan Jan 2012 #25

I'm not sure that there would be an abortion provider anywhere ehrnst Jan 2012 #33

ah! Good point! Raffi Ella Jan 2012 #38

It may be all about the publicity - with no substance ehrnst Jan 2012 #48

Brilliant evaluation of the situation- Raffi Ella Jan 2012 #55

Or loyalsister Jan 2012 #79

Yes, apparently that's exactly what they're doing ehrnst Jan 2012 #131

I would hope that NO one who supported choice would ever force the decision, ANYWHERE. moriah Jan 2012 #52

The point is moot anyway Charlemagne Jan 2012 #92

I'm pro choice. Period. Warren DeMontague Jan 2012 #35

"Casey said the teen has the right to make the decision herself, no matter what her age." ... meegbear Jan 2012 #36

Can the parents force her to go through with this if there are no health issues for the mother? krispos42 Jan 2012 #37

My little sister, who is mentally challenged, cannot be forced to have her tubes tied. moriah Jan 2012 #47

Any minor can have a childbirth procedure without parental consent. ehrnst Jan 2012 #49

My former sister-inlaw- 20 years younger is mentally ill Marrah_G Jan 2012 #57

Unlikely fifthoffive Jan 2012 #61

I would think not treestar Jan 2012 #104

It's her call. And btw.. who raped her? The cousin? LeftinOH Jan 2012 #40

Seriously. Those were my thoughts also. The cousin who assaulted her, or the one claiming mentally uppityperson Jan 2012 #144

My cousin had an abortion at 15 but it was her choice. Jennicut Jan 2012 #43

Logically choice has to work both ways HockeyMom Jan 2012 #44

I agree completely. Kdillard Jan 2012 #163

I respect her right to choose. Nye Bevan Jan 2012 #54

What if this were some other medical procedure? fifthoffive Jan 2012 #59

I think we worry too much about being ideologically pure Charlemagne Jan 2012 #94

Her body her choice. If, after serious counseling and discussion, she ecstatic Jan 2012 #64

Not to be contrary, but what if she wanted to smoke/drink? The Straight Story Jan 2012 #66

The psychological implications are different ecstatic Jan 2012 #70

well there are laws that say she cant smoke or drink, but none against having a baby leftyohiolib Jan 2012 #71

Some demarcations are drawn by nature cthulu2016 Jan 2012 #72

Great answer nt ecstatic Jan 2012 #74

Exactly Charlemagne Jan 2012 #95

Yes, that's it Yo_Mama Jan 2012 #140

Choice is choice. It is not always pretty. cthulu2016 Jan 2012 #69

Agreed. moriah Jan 2012 #73

The reality is that no abortion provider will give her one now. ehrnst Jan 2012 #83

Freedom of choice carries the risk of people sometimes making poor choices slackmaster Jan 2012 #85

You can't argue out of both sides of your mouth on this one... ddeclue Jan 2012 #86

thankyou. leftyohiolib Jan 2012 #98

I think it should be up to the parents Mosby Jan 2012 #96

When it comes to reproductive rights, MineralMan Jan 2012 #97

This message was self-deleted by its author Mosby Jan 2012 #100

No, I'm not saying that at all. I'm saying that minors have the right to MineralMan Jan 2012 #101

I see the difference Mosby Jan 2012 #102

What if she wanted the abortion and parents didn't? What if they were willing to support her&baby uppityperson Jan 2012 #145

I wonder how much influence is being put on her hamsterjill Jan 2012 #103

No enough information yet obamanut2012 Jan 2012 #108

I'd like to know about he cousin who assaulted her, cousin who claimed mentally unstable uppityperson Jan 2012 #146

Marking this for follow up.... my2sense Jan 2012 #109

This is a tough one. Texasgal Jan 2012 #110

Not seeing whom she got pregnant by The Straight Story Jan 2012 #111

If the male was 14, did he break the law, too? moriah Jan 2012 #115

I think it is still a legal issue. Texasgal Jan 2012 #116

Kinda farked if it's that way. moriah Jan 2012 #117

No, it wasn't illegal Nevernose Jan 2012 #119

What if it were reversed, she wanted abortion, parents said no? Would you agree they need to make uppityperson Jan 2012 #147

What if her parents are alternative medicine nutjobs Hippo_Tron Jan 2012 #167

The girl should be able to have choice but then if the parents marlakay Jan 2012 #118

It would be an abdication of responsibility to put their daughter in foster care. It would Liquorice Jan 2012 #124

Im friends with this gal Charlemagne Jan 2012 #125

Wow. ehrnst Jan 2012 #127

I will tell you what kind of parent marlakay Jan 2012 #137

Foster care is tough to find for teens - let alone a pregnant teen. (nt) ehrnst Jan 2012 #129

This 2012. There should be no such thing as a 'forced abortion' n/t Tx4obama Jan 2012 #121

There isn't. Coerced, perhaps - but no one will strap you to a table ehrnst Jan 2012 #126

And you're playing word games. moriah Jan 2012 #164

The ANTI's are the ones playing the word games here - I'm just stating the absurdity of logic. ehrnst Jan 2012 #170

Nobody should be forced to get an abortion. I wonder who the Liquorice Jan 2012 #123

Statutory rape is seldom prosecuted if the two are of similar age. ehrnst Jan 2012 #128

Forcing her to get an abortion would just drive her further into the hands of the anti-choicers. Odin2005 Jan 2012 #132

They can't force her to have an abortion - no one will perform one ehrnst Jan 2012 #134

More information here: ehrnst Jan 2012 #135

If you support the right of a 14 year-old to choose an abortion Yo_Mama Jan 2012 #139

This seems cut and dry. Unless she is petitioning for emancipation, the family can control their Suji to Seoul Jan 2012 #143

reverse the situation. What if she wanted an abortion, parent said no. Is that ok with you, "family uppityperson Jan 2012 #149

reverse the situation: Yes, I would say the same thing! Suji to Seoul Jan 2012 #150

To clarify, parents should be able to make pregnant minor have the child, deny an abortion. uppityperson Jan 2012 #151

If the parents were parents at all, the kid would not be doing it. Suji to Seoul Jan 2012 #152

You did read that the cousins grabbed her by her throat, struck and threatened to beat her more... uppityperson Jan 2012 #153

Having the sex talk with your kids and making birth control accessible to them does not Arkansas Granny Jan 2012 #157

Exactly! She's 14. The family can control her and don't need her permission. hughee99 Jan 2012 #154

What if the family are a bunch of crazy alternative medicine nutjobs Hippo_Tron Jan 2012 #166

Depends on the state Sgent Jan 2012 #184

When I was training as an EMT mrs_p Jan 2012 #148

We're all about pro-choice, right? Canuckistanian Jan 2012 #165

And it will be. The Anti lawyers state that her family can "force her to have an abortion" ehrnst Jan 2012 #174

Very informative, thanks Canuckistanian Jan 2012 #181

The original story in the newspaper pulls mostly from the "pro-life" lawyer's news release ehrnst Jan 2012 #176

The case has been "resolved" ehrnst Jan 2012 #182