Choice to become a parent

Your right to a private and family life encompasses the right to a free choice of whether to become, or not to become, a parent.

Reproductive rights

Your choice to become, or not to become, a parent is an important aspect of your reproductive rights, such as access to reproductive healthcare, including artificial insemination, and termination of pregnancy (abortion) or sterilisation if you do not wish to conceive or give birth to a child.

Read more about your reproductive rights.

Adoption

Your choice to become a parent may also be reflected in your decision to adopt a child and thus become a legally recognized, though not a biological parent. 

If you are not ready to become a parent, you may decide to give up your child for adoption. In such case, both parents must agree to the adoption. The consent of the father of a child is not needed if paternity has not been legally recognized.

Read more about adoption.

Resources

Last updated 15/07/2021