The themes of our study helped illuminate
the context within which minors considered
parental involvement in their abortion. Findings suggested that minors recruited those who
would respect their decision, including those
parents who might have felt ambivalent about
abortion, but who still offered support. Motivations to exclude a parent were often based on
particular family circumstances or personal
experiences, leading the minor to believe that
they would not be helpful and might be
harmful or obstructive.