Adolescents’ right to contraception without parental consent

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: to discuss the extent to which health professionals consider adolescents’ right to access contraceptive methods without requiring the presence and/or authorization of their legal guardians. Methods: a theoretical-reflective essay based on a narrative review of scientific literature, normative documents, and bioethical references related to adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health. This paper is the result of a final project completed as part of the undergraduate medical degree program at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul. Situations that generate ethical, moral, and legal controversies and increase social and health vulnerabilities are analyzed. Results: the discussion is supported by the principles of professional ethics and bioethics, as well as by the sexual and reproductive rights established in national regulations aimed at comprehensive adolescent health care. The analysis is based on the premise that unrestricted parental consent may limit access to contraceptive methods, thereby increasing the risk of early pregnancies. Based on this evidence, the study emphasizes a welcoming and supportive approach, qualified listening, compliance with professional secrecy, confidentiality, and the adolescent’s capacity for discernment as key elements of person-centered care. Conclusion: professional practice should be grounded in scientific evidence and guided by legal regulations, in order to balance the rights of this population with clinical practice.