Mandatory parental involvement prior to adolescent abortion.

The issue of parental involvement in an adolescent's decision to abort a pregnancy is complex and controversial. Consequently, the impact of legislation to mandate parental involvement is reviewed. Although the costs of such legislation are high, there are at least three important clinical benefits. First, a legal mandate will require many adolescents who would not otherwise involve their parents in this decision process to seek their counsel and emotional support. Second, parent's responsibility for the actions of their adolescent children is acknowledged within the legal system. Third, family unity may be promoted by allowing parents and adolescents an opportunity to deal more openly with the causes and implications of the pregnancy.