Got Parental Consent?

[asterroc]

A recent CNN article about parental notification laws in New Hampshire got me thinking. As I understand it, the argument goes that parents are legally responsible for all that children do, so they should be notified if their minor child has an abortion. Furthermore, some states go on to say that the minor even needs parental consent to have the abortion, again presumably because the adults are older and wiser than the child (as evidenced by her unprotected sex, or her inability to prevent her rape). For me, this begs quite a few questions.

1. This one (set) is probably already written in each parental consent law, but I've never heard it mentioned. Does the minor need the consent of both parents/guardians? Or only one? What if they disagree? What if one parent has custody? What if the minor is a ward of the state?


2. If a minor is forced to have an unwanted child by her parents (or even if she wants the baby), who is legally responsible for the well-being of the baby?


3. If the parents are given the right to prevent an abortion, shouldn't they also have the right to force an abortion?

And with those happy thoughts, I bid you good night!