Parental notification laws for teens health gets mixed reviews among U.S. parents

Community Action, March 21, 2005

American Parents hold complex views on the need for confidentiality and the appropriate involvement of parents in adolescent health care services.

In a study of parental attitudes in Wisconsin and Minnesota about parental notification laws reveals that more than half (55.1%) of participants thought PNLS were a good idea.

However, more than 96% expected one or more negative consequences with these laws. The more negative consequences cited, the less likely the parents were to favour such laws.

The researchers concluded "Educating parents about the potential negative consequences of parental notification could change their support of PNLS."

The report, "Parental Notification Laws for Minor Access to Contraception" appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Feb. 2005.