The Internet Has Been Interpreted #FactCheck

Advocates for Youth

Sexetc.org

Kidshealth.org

Planned Parenthood for teens

Young Men’s Health 

Center for Young Women’s Health

Adoption is an alternative to abortion if someone does not want to parent. However, like abortion, adoption can be a complicated process, especially for someone who is under 18. If a person does not want to go through the pregnancy process, or has a health challenge where pregnancy or giving birth could put them in danger, they might find abortion to be a safer option than adoption. Some people might choose an abortion rather than add more children to the number who already need homes. Finally, adoption is not an automatic process and requires particular knowledge and resources that may be difficult for a young person to access. In some cases, adoption may be a better choice for someone over abortion, or even parenting. In any case however, it is important to respect a person’s choice, whatever it is they decide.

Not every clinic can help with accessing an abortion. Some places, called “crisis pregnancy centers,” actually exist to try and prevent people from having an abortion. Some of these places do provide free health services and use names like “Women’s Choice” or “Real Women’s Health” to mimic traditional clinics.  However, even with those services included, crisis pregnancy centers will also use false information to trick and/or intimidate people into carrying pregnancies. If a person is looking for a place that provides abortions, make sure to ask specifically if they provide that service, so as not to get trapped at a fake clinic.

Not every clinic can help with accessing an abortion. Some places, called “crisis pregnancy centers,” actually exist to try and prevent people from having an abortion. Some of these places do provide free health services and use names like “Women’s Choice” or “Real Women’s Health” to mimic traditional clinics.  However, even with those services included, crisis pregnancy centers will also use false information to trick and/or intimidate people into carrying pregnancies. If a person is looking for a place that provides abortions, make sure to ask specifically if they provide that service, so as not to get trapped at a fake clinic.

When done by a reputable medical professional, abortion is a minimally-invasive procedure that has no long-term negative physical effect on the body, even if the person has had more than one procedure. Research has also shown that most people who have had an abortion do not report feeling any regrets about their decision. Other research suggests that the decision to have an abortion can be emotionally difficult for some people. This is often related not necessarily to the abortion itself, but to the difficulty of all the factors that may lead a person to choose an abortion in the first place, as well as the stigma one can experience from having an unintended pregnancy. There is no way to know how abortion might affect a person emotionally, which is why it is a good idea to talk with a trusted adult before making a decision.