Friday, April 15, 2011

Parental involvement significantly reduces abortion level: New report


A new study shows that abortion is effectively reduced by around 15% in states where there are laws requiring parental involvement before minors pursue this option.
 The Family Research Council reported on the research conducted by Michael New, a former adjunct fellow with the Marriage and Religion Research Institute, a project of the council.

The study, published by the "State Politics and Policy Quarterly," found "solid evidence that Medicaid abortion funding restrictions, parental involvement laws and informed consent laws effectively lower abortion rates."
As well, it noted that "parental involvement laws reduce in-state abortion rates for minors by approximately 15%."
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, affirmed that this research "tells us that parental involvement laws more effectively get parents involved in their kids' lives, and reduce the number of abortions."
He continued: "Almost invariably it is a parent, not a government employee or business entity, who cares most about a daughter's well-being.
"This is why we strongly support common sense laws that reaffirm parents' unique role as the decision-makers in the life of their child."
Perkins stated, "Politicians can talk about 'reducing abortion rates,' but if they truly want to do so they will support parental-involvement legislation and defund such organizations as Planned Parenthood that perform or promote abortions."