Since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, which legalized abortions under the Constitution’s right to privacy, the U.S. Supreme Court has gradually extended the right to privacy to teenagers as well. Teens can receive confidential reproductive health services, such as contraceptives, pregnancy tests and counseling, abortions, screenings and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), all without their parents’ knowledge or consent.

Many parents are against such confidential health services. They believe that teen access to confidential treatment infringes on parents’ rights to raise their children and to control their medical care without outside interference. Access to confidential health services undermines parental authority and the stability of the family, they contend, which is not in teens’ best interests. Furthermore, opponents argue that many teenagers are not mature enough to make responsible decisions about their sexuality...