Illinois parents beware, your minors can have abortions without telling you

Minors in the state of Illinois can now have abortions without letting their parents know after Governor J.B. Pritzker signed to repeal the Parental Notification Act.

According to Pritzker, young girls who were victims of rape and abuse in unsafe homes were wronged by the previous law.

The Parental Notification Act was passed in 1995 but became effective in 2013 after decades of legal battles ended. Under the law, minors were required to notify their parents of any abortions.

Republican state Representatives criticized the decision and said it puts girls in danger and parents have the right to know if their children are about to go through a medical procedure that can change their lives and in worst-case scenarios be dangerous both physically and mentally.

Pregnant minors in Illinois will now be helped by a Youth Health Advisory Group which will raise awareness and help children with any concerns they have over the procedure, and also protect them from being exploited.

A major concern for most parents is how can children judge what is right for them? How can they judge whether a surgery or operation should be carried out without support from their family?

Would they be sure that the abortion would not change or affect them for the rest of their lives in a good or bad way? What if 10 years later, as adults, some of them regret that decision?

How would the doctors be comfortable with this if a complication occurs? Would the doctors accept the minor’s decision alone when the family has no idea what’s going on?

Only time will answer these questions, and let’s hope and pray that everything goes fine for those in these situations, and that they have the strength and courage to battle this.