Florida Rules 16-Yr-Old Not "Mature" Enough to Receive Abortion
A Florida judge has ruled that a 16-yr-old, who was seeking a court waiver to terminate her pregnancy without parental consent, couldn't receive the procedure because she wasn't "mature" enough.
Facts
- A Florida judge has ruled that a 16-yr-old, who was seeking a court waiver to terminate her pregnancy without parental consent, couldn't receive the procedure because she wasn't "mature" enough.
- Mon. saw an appellate court uphold the lower court's ruling that found the teen - referred to as Jane Doe 22-B - "had not established by clear and convincing evidence that she was sufficiently mature to decide whether to terminate her pregnancy."
- Florida's "Parental Notice of and Consent for Abortion Act" requires a parent or legal guardian to provide physicians with written consent before an abortion is performed on a minor.
- Although she claims her legal guardian is "fine" with the procedure, she didn't have written consent. Doe cited her circumstances as an unemployed, full-time student as reasons she's not ready to have a baby.
- Presiding judge Scott Makar wrote in an opinion, distinct from the case, that the support was to help Doe cope with the recent death of a close friend, and that the ruling reflected a desire to allow her more time to evaluate the decision under the circumstances.
- The case follows the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court in June. Florida banned abortions after 15 weeks - without exceptions for rape or incest.
Sources: CBS, Daily Caller, FOX News, and Guardian.
Narratives
- Left narrative, as provided by Guardian. This case is the direct result of the reversal of Roe v. Wade and highlights the dangers of parental consent laws. Rather than trusting and listening to the teen, the state of Florida is effectively forcing her to give birth - ironically deeming her mature enough to raise a child, but not mature enough to make choices about her body.
- Right narrative, as provided by Townhall. Doe was seeking to bypass Florida's parental consent law - legislation designed to protect vulnerable minors as well as their unborn children. Facing the recent death of a close friend she was under significant stress and a judge has rightly determined that she needs more time to make an informed decision.
