Can a teen be too immature to choose abortion? This court case shows the complexities

A Florida court effectively blocked a pregnant, parentless 16-year-old from getting an abortion, saying she is not mature enough to make that decision despite her own acknowledgment that "she is not ready for the emotional, physical, or financial responsibility of raising a child."

News of the case blazed a trail of shock and anger across social media this week, the latest high-profile example of a pregnant person being denied access to abortion after the fall of Roe v. Wade. But it also points to another complicated, longer-standing issue: the legal and logistical challenges facing adolescents seeking abortions, especially those without parental support.

Nearly every state requires some form of parental involvement in a minor's decision to obtain an abortion, though to different degrees (Florida is one of just six states that require parents to be notified of their child's intent as well as their consent to the procedure itself).

Through what's known as a judicial bypass procedure, minors can seek court approval to get an abortion without the consent of their parents. the minor's age, emotional development, overall intelligence and ability to accept responsibility.