Recognizing adolescents' 'evolving capacities' to exercise choice in reproductive healthcare

All countries (except Somalia and the USA) have adopted the UN Convention o n the Rights of the Child, which usually applies to individuals aged under 18 years. The Convention requires governments to 'respect the responsibilit ies, rights and duties of parents [or others acting as parents]... in a man ner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child'. Many adolescents gain capacity to make decisions for themselves concerning reproductive and sexual health services, and to decide issues of confidentiality. Immature adolescents must be given usual protections. The Convention sets a legal li mit on parental power to deny capable adolescents reproductive and sexual h ealth services. The question whether an adolescent is a 'mature minor' must be decided by health service providers independently of parental judgment. The specific duties of government and health service providers to implemen t adolescent rights regarding their reproductive and sexual health needs ar e examined. (C) 2000 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.