A Bioethics Framework for At-risk Child/Adolescent Access to Key Reproductive Health Services Without Parental Consent

Abstract

Context: Access of adolescents to key reproductive health services (KRHS) has been emphasized; however, how to provide it has not been addressed. This study aimed to propose a bioethics framework to justify at-risk child/adolescent access to KRHS without parental consent. Evidence Acquisition: First, articles and documents were searched using the age of consent laws, reproductive health, and ethical/legal standards phrases with AND/OR separators in PubMed and Web of Science using the Google Scholar search engine in English. After a concise review of the age of consent in child/adolescent-related laws, at-risk child/adolescent access to KRHS without parental consent was justified using major ethical and legal principles and standards. Results: Given the different purposes and nature of harm preventive services, in the first part, the authors argue that considering the age of consent for at-risk adolescents’ access to KRHS is a limiting and inefficient factor, and KRHS could be provided for the at-risk adolescent with his/her own assent. In the second part, the authors argue that in decision-making for at-risk adolescents’ access to KRHS, the best interest standard is applicable on the ground of harm standard. Regarding the sociocultural context of the community, after assessing the seriousness of the harm and the threshold of intervention, practical steps are taken toward reducing or removing harm and choosing the option that best promotes adolescents’ interests. Conclusions: Regarding the existence of restrictive laws, the suggested framework can be applied in different communities as a bioethics policy guide for legislation and appropriate actions of adolescents’ healthcare professionals.