In many states, minors are not allowed to have abortions without at least one parent’s permission, and in other states minors must inform a parent they are having an abortion. However, the laws allow minors to go to a judge and argue that informing their parent would not be in their best interests and they are mature enough to make the decision alone. The judge is supposed to carefully weigh the evidence, but in many places the judicial bypass is just a rubber stamp.
According to a Toledo newspaper:
“A teenage girl who wanted to win an exemption from the reporting law would best travel to Franklin (Columbus) or Montgomery (Dayton) counties, where more than 90% of requests are allowed.”
The Blade, January 24, 1992 (Toledo) quoted in Oliver Trager Abortion: Choice & Conflict (New York: Facts on File, 1993) 43
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