Blog Essay

Abortion is one of the more controversial issues in society today with many people arguing over whether it is morally right or wrong, banned or freely available, state funded or not. However, I believe that restricting abortions is detrimental to society, for a number of reasons. Among these reasons is that: restricting or denying abortions can lead to the death of both the mother and foetus; that restricting abortions leads to the birth of unwanted children, many of which lead a lower quality life; and that restricting abortions does not prevent abortions from happening. 

One of the arguments against abortion is that the foetus is a life, and life should be preserved. However, I find it absurd that woman should be forced into preserving this life when they may not have the means to offer it a quality life. One of the reasons to have an abortion is that they are not in a position to raise a child, whether they are lacking emotional or economic resources, or the maturity level to raise a child.  According to this Australian study 54% off women received abortions because they didn’t want children at the time, were too young, or it wasn’t the right time in their life for them. When abortions are restricted it can lead to women having to have an unwanted baby, this often results in the child leading a lower quality life than  children that were planned or wanted. This is because the mother may have resentment towards the child, as they may feel that there life was cut short, or that they weren’t able to live their life as they wanted to. In this article it states that unwanted children are more likely to suffer from stunted intellectual and educational development, abuse and neglect from their parents, patterns of antisocial behaviour and patterns of anti-social behaviour.  This study shows that 60% of unwanted children were removed from their family by authorities, placed in foster care, or their parents were divorced or dead before the age of 15.  In the study this was compared with wanted children, with only 28% of wanted children, less than half, being in the same position. In addition to this 18% of unwanted children were recorded for delinquency, and that they are 4 times as likely to have an adult criminal record. This article also mentions a study that the legalisation of abortion in the US may be responsible for half of the 30-40% decline in crime. 

The restriction of abortions does not often result in stopping abortions. In many countries that restrict abortions it still occurs, these illegal abortions are often called back street abortions and come with a high cost. In Brazil, around 1.5 million illegal abortions occur each year, with 250,000 women being hospitalised. In the 50s and 60s the number of illegal abortions performed annually in the United States varied between 200,000 to 1.2million. This webpage mentions the methods used to induce abortions, with women often jumping of stairs, falling down stairs, consuming large amount of alcohol. Others would try to physically dislodge the foetus using knitting needles, wire coat hangers, or sharpened pencils. This, as you could imagine, would lead to women seeking the abortion to harm themselves, trying to dislodge the foetus could tear the uterus and other internal organs, while the other methods could result in physical harm. These methods, although seeming outdated and barbaric, are still used in countries where abortions are illegal. Illegal abortions are dangerous, unhygienic and can sometimes lead to death. To ban or restrict abortions that take place in a safe, hygienic, surgery where death is minimal. 

In recent years other methods have come about to provide abortions to those in countries where it is banned. Women on the Waves is an organisation that aims to provide abortions to those living in countries where it is banned in a safe environment, while promoting awareness of abortion rights. The abortions are performed on international waters, and because the boats are Dutch owned they are subject to Dutch law, in which abortion is legal. In this article is describes how the boat intends to stop in Morocco to transport women to international waters where counselling and the abortions will take place. 

Abortion can also be reprieve for women that are facing pregnancy difficulties, and can save lives this article it states that complications caused by childbirth are nearly 30 times greater than complications from abortion. Allowing women to have abortions meant that women that have complications during the pregnancy are able to terminate the foetus, and not endanger their lives. In countries where abortions are restricted women do not always have this choice. Recently in Ireland Savita Halapanavar died after having a miscarriage that resulted in septic shock and E coli being released into her bloodstream. She requested an abortion in the days before, but was denied despite being told that there was no way the baby could be saved, as the foetus still had a heartbeat.  In cases like this abortion should be an option all women should be able to exercise their right to have an abortion, especially when their life is endangered. 

when complications arise that endanger both the mother and the foetus. In

On the other hand, those against abortions argue that having an abortion can lead to psychological and emotional issues for women. This study shows that woman who had abortions risk of having mental health problems was increased by 81%. It also stated that abortions were linked to anxiety disorders, and a 37% higher possibility of depression. Pro-choice groups have also claimed that abortions can cause a greater risk of breast cancer, which has been recently debunked. 

In conclusion, restricting abortions is harmful to society, although it is not without negative side effects. Restricting abortions can result in the deaths and endangerment of the mother, in cases of illegal abortions and pregnancy complications. In addition to this children who were not planned or unwanted often tend to lead less quality lives in comparison with planned or wanted children.