Minors who seek abortion encouraged to inform parents

MOH's reply

We refer to Ms Ho Lay Ping’s letter (“Impose parental consent requirement for minors undergoing abortions”, 10 Mar 2018). 

Under the Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) Regulations, all pregnant women seeking abortion in Singapore are required to undergo pre-abortion counselling with a trained counsellor. Unmarried minors below 16 years of age are required to undergo compulsory pre-abortion counselling at the Health Promotion Board Counselling Centre. The session will provide information on the abortion procedure, educate them on issues such as responsible love, sexual behaviour and contraceptive methods, and advise on social support to prevent repeated unwanted pregnancies. The pregnant woman can only give her written consent to abortion at least 48 hours after the counselling session. This is to allow her time to carefully consider her decision for abortion. Those who require further support and follow-up are also directed to the Family Service Centres or help-lines. 

Currently, parental consent is not required as there were concerns that mandating parental consent for such abortions may compel these minors to risk their lives by seeking unsafe abortions. 

Minors seeking abortions are encouraged to inform and discuss with their parents and family on their decision to undergo abortion. Over the last five years (2013 – 2017), approximately two in three minors under 16 were accompanied by at least one parent when attending pre-abortion counselling. About nine in 10 had self-reported that they had informed at least one of their parents about the decision to undergo abortion. 

Lim Siok Peng (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health

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Forum Letter

Impose parental consent requirement for minors undergoing abortions

I am dismayed that a young girl became pregnant at age 14, underwent an abortion procedure and even had to split the bill with the man - all without her parents' knowledge ("Man jailed for having sex with girl, 14, who split the bill for abortion with him", ST Online, March 5). 

In Singapore, a person under 18 cannot legally buy cigarettes or alcohol, consent to be married or enter into a contract.

This is based on the principle that young people are unable to fully understand the consequences of their actions and, therefore, are unable to give valid informed consent. 

Hence, it is ironic that under the Termination of Pregnancy Act, there is no minimum age for the abortion procedure. 

There is also no legal requirement for parental consent for minors to go through abortion. 

Why is this so? Abortion is an invasive surgical procedure which carries with it risks of various complications. 

Which parent would want their daughter to shoulder the psychological and physical trauma of abortion at such a young age, and without their knowledge and consent? 

Parents are primarily responsible for the upbringing of their children. They are in the best position to protect teenage girls from potentially dangerous medical situations before, during and after an abortion. 

The child might suffer from depression or there could be post-abortion complications such as infection or haemorrhaging.

The parents might also decide to offer support to their teenage daughter in bringing up the baby, thereby avoiding abortion altogether. 

In cases where the parents are abusive, the girl's life is in danger or obtaining parental consent is difficult, exceptions can be made. But let us not let hard cases make bad laws. 

Ho Lay Ping (Ms)

Last updated on 17 Mar 2018