Dear teacherpet,

No. Many women who decide to have an abortion ask their partners to go with them for support, but in the United States, a woman does not need the permission of her boyfriend, husband, or sex partner to have an abortion.

However, some states do require parental consent or notification for teen girls who want to obtain abortions. To find out the laws in your state, consult this chart.

Although it takes both a girl and guy for a pregnancy to happen, it is the woman's choice in deciding what to do about the pregnancy. That's why it's very important for guys who have sex with women to understand that the woman will ultimately be the one to make the choice whether or not to have an abortion. It can be helpful for couples — before they have sex — to discuss how they would like to handle an unplanned pregnancy should the situation arise.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.