Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement in which it reaffirms its position that teens have a right to obtain an abortion even without the knowledge and consent of their parents.

Breitbart is reporting on the new position statement entitled, “The Adolescent’s Right to Confidential Care When Considering Abortion” in which it says teens should be encourage to consult their parents regarding pregnancy but that parental notification laws increase “the risk of harm to the adolescent by delaying access to appropriate medical care.”

“The AAP strongly advocates for the prevention of unintended adolescent pregnancy by supporting comprehensive health and sexuality education, abstinence, and the use of effective contraception by sexually active youths. For two decades, the AAP has been on record as supporting the access of minors to all options regarding undesired pregnancy, including the right to obtain an abortion,” the statement reads.

The AAP, along with its pals in the abortion industry such as Planned Parenthood and NARAL, make these claims while cowering beneath the usual cover – that abortion is “health care.” In this way, they feel more justified in assisting teens to not only obtain contraception and abortions, but also to provide information on how teens can do so behind a parent’s back.

“If you’re under 18, you may or may not have to tell a parent in order to get an abortion — it all depends on the laws where you live,” Planned Parenthood suggests on its website.

“Some states don’t have any laws about telling your parents or getting their permission. But some states say you have to get permission from a parent or older family member to have an abortion. Other states don’t make you get permission, but your parents will have to know that you’re getting an abortion. A judge may be able to excuse you from having to tell your parents or get their permission — this is called ‘judicial bypass’.”

Pro-life organizations such as the American College of Pediatricians, the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the National Catholic Bioethics Center, the Catholic Medical Association and other entities joined Ohio Right to Life in a letter addressed to AAP president Dr. Fernando Stein challenging their position.

“The American Academy of Pediatrics says it is ‘dedicated to the health of all children,’ yet in rendering a decision such as this, the Academy profoundly harms the health of children twice: First, by ignoring the grave psychological, health, and safety risks posed to the adolescent seeking the abortion; and second, by enshrining as a ‘right’ the decision for one child to procure the death of their own child,” the letter states.

It goes on to address the dangers of the AAP position, particularly in regard to teens who may be involved in an abusive relationship with an adult or in a sex trafficking situation.

“While the AAP statement concludes that ‘Concern for incest or abuse should be raised when a minor, particularly a younger adolescent, resists parental involvement when seeking abortion services,’ it undercuts the very safety net which children need by ultimately promoting an unfettered right to abortion, and provides no guidance as to what to do—or whom to involve—in those circumstances; in short, it jeopardizes the lives and safety of children who are victims of sex trafficking or abusive relationships, forced to have abortions to cover up evidence of sexual abuse.”

Unfortunately, the American Academy of Pediatrics is just one of multiple mainstream medical associations that have been overrun by abortion advocates, says Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life.

“The truth is that the modern-day American medical profession was founded with the intent of stamping out harmful practices like abortion—practices that contradict the physician’s duty to ‘First, do no harm’,” he said.

“If the American Academy of Pediatrics is to honor that legacy and truly dedicate themselves to the health of all children, they will rescind this horrific polemic in favor of sound medical science.”

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