The legal ability of minors to consent to a range of sensitive health care services—including sexual
and reproductive health care, mental health services and alcohol and drug abuse treatment—has expanded dramatically
over the past 30 years. This trend reflects the recognition that, while parental involvement in minors’ health care decisions
is desirable, many minors will not avail themselves of important services if they are forced to involve their parents. With
regard to sexual and reproductive health care, many states explicitly permit all or some minors to obtain contraceptive,
prenatal and STI services without parental involvement. Moreover, nearly every state permits minor parents to make
important decisions on their own regarding their children. In sharp contrast, the majority of states require parental
involvement in a minor’s abortion