Ellen's Story
Saying NO to Parental Notification Saves Girls Lives

I remember having a pregnancy scare when I was in high school -- turned out I wasn't, but I know there was no way in hell I could have told my parents if I had been. And my parents are nice people, politically liberal and pro-choice, but they still would have been very disappointed in me. I had an abortion in college and as far as I know they still don't know, though by now it's not an issue for me.

I can honestly say that I would have mutilated if not killed myself trying to get rid of it if the alternative meant telling my parents. Even knowing I could get an abortion without my parents knowing (I was 19 at the time), I freaked out briefly and beat myself in the stomach as hard as I could stand with the base of a large wine bottle. But then I took charge and did what I had to do.

In fact, the whole thing was largely a good experience for me. Not that I'm saying everyone should go out and have an abortion for the therapeutic value, but just as a data point against the antis claiming how abortion is so traumatic for women.

My parents thought of me as irresponsible, lazy, and unable to take care of myself. I think I partially believed them. But then, when on my own, I was able to find out how and where to get an abortion, save the money for it, and plan it so I wouldn't miss class (and still got straight A's that semester), I really felt like I could do anything. I suppose it was a sort of coming of age in my case. I was an adult making an adult decision all by myself and for that I was proud.

Ellen
May 1998

more stories -- share your story

Birth Control Comparison - alll methods Abortion Info from Feminist Women's Health CenterShare your story
Poetry and Prose - by women about their reproductive lives Teens HealthResources for Women of Color
Feminist Abortion Clinics Real Life Abortion Stories from teens Questions and Answers

 

Do you agree with Ellen that Parental Consent for abortion is a bad idea?? The U.S. Congress and your state legislature need to hear your views on Parental Consent or Notification requirements limiting teens access to birth control and abortion.