By Kahmaria
As a teen, it is important to know all of your rights. It’s even more awesome when you know when and where to use them.
Sometimes as teens, we get into sticky situations and have no idea how to get out of them or even what first step to take. For example, an unplanned pregnancy: they are more common than you think. In 2018, 17.4 out of 1,000 teen girls got pregnant. Having an unplanned pregnancy is a big deal. In California, teens should know that they have the right to make their own decision when it comes to pregnancy and childbirth, and that there are options.
One option is getting an abortion. Abortion is legal in California, both for teens and adults. You do not need anyone's permission, not your parent's or your partner's, and the law protects your privacy. Here are some important things to know:
- Not all clinics offer abortions (Find a clinic near you and ask)
- The earlier the better- plan ahead and don’t procrastinate so that you can avoid any complications
- No one can make you have an abortion - remember, the choice is all yours
For more information, check out our Abortion Resources page.