Pro-choice - I need help with arguments

[Jenny A]

I need some brief coherent arguments to support a pro-choice policy directed towards minors (usually under 18) - This implicates allowing teen girls to abort without parental consent. It is a bit more difficult to argue about compared to adults. Also what age do you think should be the minimum? Or should there be none? I think it should be legal from the moment it's possible to get pregnant
<snip>

Counter-arguments people have directed towards me:

1 - Just like teens or minors aren't allowed to do a lot of less serious acts [compared to abortion] like buying property (a house, a car, etc.) or consuming alcohol, tobacco, drugs or engaging in sexual intercourse, a more serious decision like abortion should be the parents decision, not to mention a minor doesn't possess enough mental development to know if an abortion really is the best option and this could result in depression and regret

All of the other prohibitions, alcohol, buying property, engaging in sexual intercourse, drugs, etc. are prohibited for the purpose of preventing children from burdening their future adulthood with obligations, or negative health choices taken on too young. Ending a pregnancy creates no such burden. To the contrary, carrying a baby to term creates a burden on a teen's future adulthood. Requiring a child to carry a baby to term is like requiring a child to take on debt or assume responsibility for property.

There is little evidence that abortion actual does cause depression or serious regret.

2 - Allowing free abortion for minors could cause a derail to allow them to buy tobacco, alcohol, drugs and thus incentive legalization of some things minors shouldn't be doing for their own good (slippery slope)


Somehow, I can't see a connection between allowing a medical procedure which is what an abortion is and allowing the consumption of alcohol and drugs. Presumably, children are allowed access to care for over doses of drugs, or rehab. That is not considered encouragement to consume drugs or alcohol. Why then, if they have sex early (prohibited or not) shouldn't they be allowed medical care to treat the pregnancy by terminating it?

3 - It should be allowed because parents will be the ones legally with the job to provide and take care of the kid, so the teenager will have no trouble other than a [simple -- sarcasm!] period of 9 months pregnancy (gasp*)

Would the pregnant child's parents be responsible for their grandchild forever? Or just until their child reaches adulthood? Because my guess is it's the later, in which case the teen certainly will face a financial burden in the future.