A comparison of minors' and adults' pregnancy decisions.

Abstract
Pregnancy decision-making of legal minors (17 and younger) and legal adults is compared on the basis of interview data. Minors are found to be less likely than adults to anticipate consultation with a professional regarding the pregnancy, and more likely than adults to perceive decisions about pregnancy disposition and contraception as being "externally" determined. Implications of these differences are considered.The pregnancy decision making of minors and adults was compared in light of the recent Supreme Court ruling which struck down the Missouri law requiring parental consent for abortions performed on single minors. 26 single females, aged 18 or over, and 16 single females, aged 13-17, were selected for interview from among those patients who were waiting to receive pregnancy test results at 3 urban clinics in California from May-September, 1978. In order to assess whether the decision making process differed between adults and minors, the 2 groups of patients were questioned concerning 1) their knowledge of pregnancy related laws; 2) the types of persons they would seek advice from if they were pregnant; 3) the factors they would take into account in deciding whether to terminate or continue a pregnancy; and 4) the factors which they felt determined their contraceptive decisions. The clients in both groups had varied socioeconomic backgrounds. The 2 groups differed little in regard to their knowledge of 1) abortion laws; 2) eligibility standards for public assistance; and 3) the legal rights of fathers. When the participants were compared in regard to factors which they would consider in reaching a decision about continuing or terminating a pregnancy, minors were less likely than adults to take into account their ability to raise a child and more likely to take into account the effect of their pregnancy on their parents. Among those minors who expected to have an abortion, most believed they had no choice in the matter. They felt external factors, such as family pressure, would preclude pregnancy continuation. Adults felt they they made their decisions on the basis of their own assessment of the situation rather than being pressured into it. Minors were also more likely to think that their contraceptive decisions were externally imposed rather than the result of their own preferences. The findings suggested that minors who think their decisions are controlled by external forces might be more likely in the future to engage in unprotected sex and to experience more guilt about an abortion than those who went through the process of personally justifying their abortion decisions.
Funding Information
  • Stanford University