Ethical dilemma

Jayasree

In our hospital a 17 year old mother was admitted after delivery. She was referred from another hospital with anemia. She is a student and single parent. This happened because the girl was not well aware of pregnancy and its impacts. The man responsible for this is already convicted under POCSO. He is a married man. Now the parents of the girl want to leave the baby for adoption agencies. But the adolescent mother does not want it. The counselor faces an ethical issue here. Who will make a decision? Does not the minor mother have right to make decision? If she is allowed to look after the baby who will support her? What about her studies? Do we have any Govt. schemes for welfare of single mothers? I am not sure