
Abortion Across State Lines: A Parent’s Dilemma
Clip: Season 2026 | 3m 51sVideo has Closed Captions
Would you break the law to help your teen’s pregnant friend get an abortion?
Your teen asks for the car to help a pregnant friend get an abortion in another state. Then you learn a new law makes it illegal to transport minors without parental consent. Do you protect trust and autonomy—or uphold the law? This staged dilemma explores family, ethics, and legality in truly difficult situations.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Funding for this program was provided in part by grants from The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation and by a grant from Anne Ray Foundation and by contributions from viewers like you. Thank you. Location furnished by The New York Historical.

Abortion Across State Lines: A Parent’s Dilemma
Clip: Season 2026 | 3m 51sVideo has Closed Captions
Your teen asks for the car to help a pregnant friend get an abortion in another state. Then you learn a new law makes it illegal to transport minors without parental consent. Do you protect trust and autonomy—or uphold the law? This staged dilemma explores family, ethics, and legality in truly difficult situations.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- Mom, Dad, what's up?
- Honey, your friend seemed a little off last week.
You're going to Fredonia.
Is it just for KPop Demon Hunters, or is there something else going on?
- Dad, Mom, the truth is Christina is pregnant.
She made me promise I wouldn't even tell you, because you know Christine's parents.
They're your friends.
They love her, but they might not agree on this.
So that's why I need the car.
I want to take her to Fredonia for this abortion.
- How old are they?
- Alice is 18.
Christine is 17.
And as you are thinking this through, you look over, the TV's been playing in the background, breaking news headline on the local news: Middlevania has just passed a law, making it a crime for an adult to transport a minor across state lines for an abortion (Molly groaning) without the consent of the parents.
Roger Severino, you are the newly-elected governor of our great state of Middlevania, after a hotly-contested election.
I'm wondering if you signed this law into effect.
- I did.
- [Aaron] Why?
- Well, number one, the state recognizes the inherent human dignity of every human being, regardless of, if whether they're in the womb or not in the womb.
And second, the right of parents to be the primary caregivers of the moral and physical health and safety of their own children.
And not to let people usurp their role, and take their kids across state lines to do something that is illegal here.
- I mean, I find it just enraging, the idea that now this girl has less rights than the fetus, right.
I don't know how many weeks, how many weeks pregnant is she?
- She says she's like, 12 weeks.
- 12 weeks, okay.
So technically now that 12 week, I don't know how many ounces, has more rights than the woman who is carrying it.
I'm just, just - Alice says, - in a pickle... - but are you still okay with me taking the car?
- See, I'm, (laughs) I'll just drive her.
(laughs) - You'll drive her.
- I'll probably drive her.
I would probably drive her.
- So I would prefer Molly to drive her than Alice take the car.
- Yeah.
'Cause I'll go to jail.
I mean, like, honestly, this is so preposterous, and like, we- - Can you put yourself in the shoes of Christine's parents?
Suppose it was your daughter, Alice, who was pregnant.
And Alice told Christine's parents, your old friends.
And Christine's parents did not tell you about this huge development in your daughter's life.
You didn't even know.
How would that feel for you?
- Well, that, I think that's a real ethical question.
- And I, I mean, I would hope that Christine's relationship with her parents are like Alice's with me and Molly, that you raise your kids, not right, but you raise them in a way that you can have these difficult conversations.
- And you know, in fact that Christine's parents are wonderful parents.
You go way back with them, but they are pro-life.
They're religious.
Are you sure you're comfortable driving Christine without even thinking about their perspective?
- So I would probably, I mean, this is, I, I mean, I would probably make Christine tell her parents.
I, I mean, because I don't think it's, because she's 17, I don't think it's appropriate.
When Pregnancy Turns Perilous: Inside the Toughest Pregnancy Decisions
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S2026 | 4m 30s | A personal story ignites a vital debate: when pregnancy turns perilous, who gets to decide? (4m 30s)
The Ultimate Question: Who Counts — and Who Decides
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S2026 | 3m 38s | Freedom debated: Is it lawless, God-given, or state-protected? Who counts—and who decides? (3m 38s)
Should You Help End a Life? A Father’s Final Request
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S2026 | 5m 45s | A father wants control over his death. His sons must decide: help him, or stop him? (5m 45s)
A Matter of Life and Death: Preview
Video has Closed Captions
Preview: S2026 | 30s | Watch the preview for BREAKING THE DEADLOCK: A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH (30s)
A Matter of Life and Death: Episode Open
Video has Closed Captions
Preview: S2026 | 1m 5s | Watch the open for BREAKING THE DEADLOCK: A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH. (1m 5s)
Law vs. Life: The Abortion Debate Gets Personal
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S2026 | 4m 12s | A rare pregnancy crisis sparks debate on law, life, and choice—plus one panelist’s real ordeal. (4m 12s)
Abortion Pills at Home: Privacy vs. Parental Rights
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S2026 | 5m 36s | Parents find abortion pills in their teen’s room. Watch the clip to see the debate that ensues! (5m 36s)
Abortion Across State Lines: A Parent’s Dilemma
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S2026 | 3m 51s | Would you break the law to help your teen’s pregnant friend get an abortion? (3m 51s)
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Funding for this program was provided in part by grants from The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation and by a grant from Anne Ray Foundation and by contributions from viewers like you. Thank you. Location furnished by The New York Historical.







