Cases illustrating variables relevant to decisions involving teenage pregnancy and motherhood, confidentiality, female genital surgery, and eating disorders are presented. For each topic, empirical and theoretical factors relevant to the cases are discussed from an egalitarian perspective that addresses the nondominance of minors as well as their capacity for moral agency. A conception of parentalism as an antidote to paternalism and maternalism is proposed.
Keywords: minors, teenage pregnancy, teenage mothers, confidentiality, female genital surgery, eating disorders, moral agency, egalitarian perspective, paternalism, parentalism