Over the past years, the topic of abortion has become a very argued subject. It is a major factor in political views and has affected many people both personally and impersonally. It is a topic that is heavily debated which leads people to become very passionate about it, and the question commonly associated with abortion is: should it be legal? Despite the fact that abortion may seem like an easy escape, the mental and physical consequences, the lack of fathers rights and the ethical implications result in the conclusion that abortion should be illegal, and adoption should be considered as an alternative.
Not only is there harm done to the unborn child, there is physical and mental harm that lasts a lifetime to the mother. Other than surgical procedures, there are three main types of abortion: misoprostol alone, methotrexate followed by misoprostol, and, by far the most commonly used method, mifepristone followed by misoprostol (Virk et al). The Medical Abortion and the Risk of Subsequent Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes article states, “One population-based case-control study on risk factors for ectopic pregnancy [a complication of pregnancy in which the embryo attaches outside the uterus] found a significantly increased risk for ectopic pregnancy associated with medical abortion as compared with women with no history of abortion.” Having an abortion can make complications in wanted pregnancies down the road.
Along with physical complications, there are also mental consequences to abortion as well. Of the 30 percent of women who get abortions in America, many may have experienced the following symptoms: negative mood, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders, along with suicidal thinking and behaviors. (Phsyco). Dr. Coleman, a professor of Human Development, published a study which the analysis shows that on a scale of zero to 36, increased risk in mental health problems for woman who undergo abortions is 28, which is significantly higher than the average score of 18 stating that abortion is not a high risk for mental health problems (Phsyco).
Moving on from the topic of women and abortion, a commonly overlooked factor is fathers rights. Currently the father has no legal say in whether or not the impregnated female decides to keep the baby or not. Studies show that only 8 percent of males agreed that it is all right for women to have an abortion for any reason (Bogges et al). Is it morally correct to give a father no say in his own child’s life? Abortion should not be only the mothers choice based on the fact that it is her body, because while it is her body, it is also the fathers baby. If the father wants to keep a child that the mother does not want, then she is murdering the unborn baby, and the father will have to live his whole life knowing he had a child he could never meet.
The last, and possibly the most important, topic discussed in this essay is the question of morality. When does life truly begin? Is it murder, or is it ethically just to dispose of an unborn child? This is the biggest controversy regarding abortion, and there is not a black and white answer. Religion plays a large part in deciding if life starts at conception. A typical Christian belief is to believe that life begins as soon as the egg gets fertilized, meaning that any sort of abortion at any time of the pregnancy would be considered murder. legally, killing a pregnant woman results in a double homicide charge; however, it is legal to kill your own child. (Murphy 83) The most horrific thing about abortion is it is taking away the life of something that can not fight back. The innocent, unborn child is not even given the chance at life.
Although there are many unplanned, and unwanted pregnancies that happen, there are other options that are morally correct. Adoption is a wonderful, and ethical option if the baby is unwanted, or not in a good environment for a healthy growing up. There are many people in the world that are longing for the ability to have a child and can not. These people would do almost anything to have a family and instead of having an abortion, one could help give them the family they always wanted. Not only would a child’s life be saved, but someone who wants a baby but can not have one’s life would change forever.
Despite abortion being a topic many people get in heated debates about, the solution seems surprisingly clear. Abortion should not be legal because it causes too much emotional and physical harm on the mothers, and fathers have no legal say in the life of their child. Abortion is unethical and should not be viewed as an escape, or a way to fix a problem. Many mothers who get abortions regret having one later in life when they are more mature and realize the nature of what they lost (Murphy). Instead of contemplating abortion, consider adoption because abortion should never be the answer.
The cons of abortion outweigh the pros when compared side by side. In an article done by ProCon, it is stated that fetuses can feel pain through the process of an abortion. According to Kanwaljeet J. S. Anand, MBBS, DPhil, Professor of Pediatrics, Anesthesiology and Neurobiology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, ‘If the fetus is beyond 20 weeks of gestation, I would assume that there will be pain caused to the fetus. And I believe it will be severe and excruciating pain.’ This destroys the argument many people make that claim life does not begin at conception.
Pros and cons of abortion can be compared, and will continue to be compared for much longer to come. Abortion is unfortunately a topic that will most likely continue to be disputed due to the fact there is no easy, simple answer to accommodate everyone’s wants, needs and beliefs. It is a decision that is ultimately made with the consequences to live with in mind; however, making abortion illegal can eliminate these consequences, and help struggling, scared, future mothers not have to face the decision of choosing life or death.
Works Cited
- “Abortion ProCon.org.” ProConorg Headlines, abortion.procon.org/.
- Boggess, Scott, and Carolyn Bradner. ‘Trends in Adolescent Males’ Abortion Attitudes, 1988-1995: Differences by Race and Ethnicity.’ Family Planning Perspectives, vol. 32, no. 3, 2000, pp. 118-23.
- Murphy, T. F. ‘The Moral Significance of Spontaneous Abortion.’ Journal of Medical Ethics, vol. 11, no. 2, 1985, pp. 79.
- ‘Psychological Effects of Abortion Need More Research.’ Targeted News Service, Jun 15, 2017.
- Virk, Jasveer,M.S., M.P.H., Zhang, Jun,PhD., M.D., and Jø Olsen. ‘Medical Abortion and the Risk of Subsequent Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes.’ The New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 357, no. 7, 2007, pp. 648-53.
