WOMEN’S BODIES: ATTITUDES TO INDUCED ABORTION
Abortion is the interruption of pregnancy at any time from conception to 20 weeks’ gestation. When the pregnancy is deliberately terminated, it is called induced abortion. Preventing pregnancy by using contraception is the first choice, but induced abortion is needed as a last resort when contraception fails or is not used.
Abortion is always a controversial and emotional subject that arouses fierce argument based on powerful feelings and beliefs. Some people sincerely believe that I abortion is always wrong and that the right to life of the foetus, from the moment of conception, takes precedence over any tights of the woman who is carrying it. This belief may be based on deeply held moral convictions, and freedom of moral and religious belief is a human right. However, many anti-abortion activists attempt (by means that many consider immoral) to impose their beliefs on others to prevent all abortion.
There is also the concern that abortion might be imposed for selective population control, as in the restrictions on family size imposed in some countries, and in the abortion of female foetuses in societies where male children are more wanted. Improved technology for antenatal diagnosis means that more couples are choosing abortion when the foetus is found to be severely defective. Some people believe that this is discrimination against the handicapped.
Then there are those who think that if abortion is easily available it will be used instead of contraception or that women (it’s rarely said about men!) will embark on sexual adventures irresponsibly if they know they can get an abortion if they happen to fall pregnant. This is not so. Though abortion rates in Australia rose for a few years after more liberal interpretation of the law was introduced, they have continued to fall since. Abortion services always provide contraceptive advice and supplies with the aim of preventing future need for abortion.
I believe that we must defend the right of women and couples to choose freely whether to have or not to have an abortion. We need competent abortion services for those in need, and adequate support services for those who choose to continue a pregnancy that was unplanned or unwanted, or when the foetus is at risk of birth defects.
*143/31/5*
Related Posts:
Tags: Women’s Health
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.