Abortion: A Lack of Information Creates Ethical, Moral, and Legal Problems - Essay Sample

Introduction

Abortion is an activity that occurs in all societies with a substantial portion of the global population using the practice as a means of resolving unwanted pregnancies. Nevertheless, there is limited empirical data on the reasons why women get abortions which directly contributes to the scarcity of the data and information over the practice of abortion (Roberts et al. 370). The scarcity in information resulted in the practice experiencing ethical, moral, and legal problems making formal research about abortion difficult for researchers additionally affecting the data already present (Roberts et al. 370). Accumulating good data on the reasons why women to undertake abortion also presents challenges. It involves asking questions on a sensitive and complicated process that steered the decision by women to abort pregnancies. Regardless, it is important to understand the dynamics that result in the decision of abortion. It will allow researchers to better inform the public on the practice of abortion, the risks involved, and possible long-term physical and psychological effects among others.

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Political Aspect of Abortion

In recent years, there has been a revitalized push by numerous state politicians, lobby groups, conservative organizations, and other groups to restrict access to abortion services. The social and health outcome of such actions has been viewed by many health professionals as posing negative consequences (Bai 1). Their argument is based on the possible negative outcomes of the physical and mental health of women who seek illegal abortion services. As of 2019, over eight states, placed legal restrictions on the practice of abortion for pregnancies before 25 to 28 weeks depending on the state (Bai 1). The viability of the fetus in most states was based on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling of Roe V. Wade in 1973. For states such as Missouri, Georgia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Mississippi, the restrictions were much stricter with abortions being banned after six weeks of gestations (Bai 1). Conversely, the state of Alabama proposed motions to ban the practice regardless of cause or reason. Nonetheless, the changes to the legal system are yet to be implemented as the country is battling other problems such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the United States, abortion is often viewed as a political issue rather than a moral or health issue. Research from the University of California, San Francisco identified that without abortion services, more unwanted pregnancies will be carried to term resulting in both negative social and health outcomes (Bai 3). The publicity of the Roe V. Wade case of 1973 fashioned movements that created the notion that abortion was for unwanted pregnancies only. The public has barely moved further from the definition of abortion offered and it has contributed to the majority of the backlash towards abortion in modern society (Bai 2). It is critical to appreciate the fact that millions of unwanted pregnancies are not aborted. Furthermore, depending on the conditions, situations may require the abortion of the pregnancy. America is an extremely diverse country, with the notion in mind, it is important to comprehend the various cultures and ethnicities within its borders. With cultural, and social barriers, most women seeking abortions are unable to attain the services. In developing countries, abortion is mostly available for the elite, it demonstrates the demand for the services and how it can affect social structures. Irrespective, the development of the status of pregnancies does not offer full reasons as to why women opt to abort.

The Truth about Abortions

By understanding the prevalence of unwanted pregnancies as well as its immediate cause, which in most cases is either non-use or failure of contraceptive, researchers can comprehend the context of women seeking abortions. The context is important for directly addressing the issue that is faced by most women seeking an abortion. The approach is proposed for numerous reasons, among them is the increasingly negative notions towards abortion in both developing and developed countries. The data set to be presented will mostly focus on the U.S and some countries in Europe as pregnancy data is available. Nonetheless, according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and EC (European Commission), approximately between 50% and 60% of all pregnancies are unwanted (Finer, and Fine 586). A large portion of the number of unwanted pregnancies relies on abortion services to resolve their predicaments. However, in the same population, some women keep unplanned pregnancies to term thereby invalidating the notion that abortions are only for unwanted pregnancy.

The previously stated argument identified that a significant number of women conceive unwanted pregnancies. The problem that has faced abortion for decades in such populations other than the physical and mental health repercussions is determining when life begins during pregnancy. Currently, there are numerous opposing researches and data sets presented to the public further contributing to the confusion over the practice. The political aspect of the problem operates on the assumption that fetuses are biological tissues and lack life. Therefore, it forms the basis for the argument that unwanted pregnancies should be terminated during its early stages. Additionally, abortion practices are viewed as a taboo by most cultures as well as societies therefore, it is barely discussed or advertised compared to other medical procedures. According to WHO (the World Health Organization), abortions are traumatic experiences (Finer, and Fine 585). Similar to other special medical procedures as it has a high probability of having negative consequences.

The notions provided by WHO identifies that the actions by governments in banning abortion have worse outcomes compared to legalizing the process (Foster, and Kimport 211). From a personal perspective, abortion is a personal choice, and legal restrictions such as those imposed by the American government only worsen an already grave situation. The public is not aware that banning abortion will only pave the way for illegal procedures being conducted. The outcome of the ban is unorthodox abortions practices that can result in excessive uterine bleeding, infection, or scarring (Foster, and Kimport 211). The consequences of illegal abortions are present in legal abortion; however, legal practitioners have the necessary training and facilities to aid such patients. Banning abortion is not a suitable action that governments should take towards the practice of abortion. Rather an educational approach should be attained. By imparting the public on the possible outcomes of abortion offers a safer and proactive approach to controlling unwanted pregnancies and abortions.

Conclusion

Overall, the unnecessary ban on abortion places restrictions on women resulting in unequal access to abortion services based on socio-economic attributes among others. The data used to develop the proposal identified that with increased banning of abortion services in numerous states, self-induction will become a common practice (Jones 23). Other consequences for women due to the legal restrictions are physical and emotional insecurity. For example, women will be unable to escape violent relationships due to unwanted pregnancies. If carried to term, the baby and mother may be at the risk of violence among others. Therefore, banning abortion is not the best action by the government. Procreation is a social construct and should be addressed similarly, imposing political views only complicates the issue.

Works Cited

Bai, Nina. "Negative Health Outcomes For Women And Families As More States Restrict Abortions". UCSF, 2019, https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2019/05/414551/more-states-restrict-abortions-research-points-negative-health-outcomes-women. Accessed 24 May 2020.

Finer, Louise, and Johanna B. Fine. "Abortion Law Around The World: Progress And Pushback". American Journal Of Public Health, vol 103, no. 4, 2013, pp. 585-589.

Foster, Diana Greene, and Katrina Kimport. "Who Seeks Abortions At Or After 20 Weeks?". Perspectives On Sexual And Reproductive Health, vol 45, no. 4, 2013, pp. 210-218.

Jones, Rachel K. "How Commonly Do US Abortion Patients Report Attempts To Self-Induce?". American Journal Of Obstetrics And Gynecology, vol 204, no. 1, 2011, pp. 23.e1-23.e4.

Roberts, S.C.M. et al. "Implications For Women Of Louisiana’S Law Requiring Abortion Providers To Have Hospital Admitting Privileges". Contraception, vol 91, no. 5, 2015, pp. 368-372.