Abortion-Pro-Choice Essay, Research Paper

“Abortion–a Choice!”

Abortion is a very controversial issue that has been continually argued over the past few years and will continue for years to come. Before I get into the sides of abortion we must first define abortion. Abortion is the destruction of the fetus, or unborn child while the child is still in the mother’s womb. There are two sides to this abortion topic. The Pro-life which is those who are against abortion altogether and the Pro-choice those who believe it is the women’s right to choose if she wants to have an abortion. Personally, I am Pro-choice and I believe there are many clear-cut reasons to why I take this stand. In my paper I will support my position with facts about abortion, and areas where Pro-life imply that those in support of a woman’s right to choose abortion are killers–meaning “anti-life,” which is altogether untrue.

First off I want to state that for a quarter of a century millions of women have grown up under the protection of “Roe vs. Wade,” secure in the knowledge that freedom to choose is a fundamental American value, and a constitutionally protected right. Although some oppose abortion, it may be due to either lack of knowledge, or that opponents of abortion rights claim that over 90% of all abortions are used as a substitute for a contraceptive.[1] Abortionists exclude from this definition that only some of those performed are because of a woman’s life in danger, there is sever fatal deformity, or because the pregnancy was a result of rape or incest. Implying women in general are irresponsible and those who would choose abortion do so, with out carefully considering the impact of their decisions upon themselves and their families.

A reason to why I am Pro-choice is because of the extreme cases of rape and incest. I feel that it is wrong for the Pro-life to state, “Well there are adoption clinics where mothers would be more than happy to take-in the child.” However, I always thought that bearing a child was suppose to be this special amazing thing, and a mother would want to keep the child that is part of her. But what if the fetus inside the mother isn’t one of her own, what if the mother is the victim of the crime? I can totally understand how most victims would agree that it would be better to suffer through the pain of abortion than to have to live with a deformed child, or even worse a child that is not really their own as a result of rape or incest. “Victims of these crimes also report feeling dirty, guilty, and sexually violated.” But nothing is as bad as having to be constantly reminded of the traumatic experience you went through everyday you see your child’s eyes as the man who raped you. Furthermore, your child too is a victim with no father, and having to live with the fact that he/she was unwillingly brought into the world out of force.

Many women whom undergo abortion often suffer what is called Post Abortion Syndrome (PAS). A form of post-traumatic stress disorder with long term chronic symptoms which include nightmares, feelings of guilt, and attempted suicide.[2] I believe this is mainly due to the high controversy shown on television, and words such as “baby killer” and “death chambers.” People walking around with signs held high, really get deep into an individual’s head. In April 1990 the American Psychological Association concluded the psychological impact of abortion on women, stating “government restrictions on abortion are more likely to cause women lasting harm than the procedure itself.”[3]

Another reason why I am for abortion is because of “problem births.” What do we do when a mother is in the hospital bearing her child and complications occur to the point where doctors say the life of the pregnant woman is at risk, and only the mother or child will make it through this pregnancy? Well anyone in this situation I think would agree that they should save the mother’s life and not risk both lives trying to save the potential life. I feel, Danger to the mother’s health makes the procedure even more medically necessary. A number of health conditions are worsened by pregnancy such as, epilepsy, diabetes, malignant tumors, hypertension, kidney disease, sickle cell anemia, and heart disease.[4] “Pregnancy in these cases increases the severity of the disease and can lead to permanent damage.” True these situations are terrible; However, I feel that in these cases we have got to do, what has to be done primarily for the mother to survive.

I do not believe that abortion is good nor do I think abortion is murder. Many opponents of abortion rights describe abortion as “murder” and label women who choose to terminate their pregnancy as “murderers.” This false language such as “murderers” creates the impression that abortion-a legal medical practice-is not only morally wrong but also illegal. I feel that one must consider that most women having an abortion have just made one of the most difficult decisions of their life. No one thinks abortion is a wonderful thing, and no one tries to get pregnant just so they can terminate what is inside of them.

Many opponents of abortion rights make claims that abortion is harmful to women’s health, when in fact legal abortion is safe.[5] Although abortion, pregnancy, and childbirth are relatively safe, pregnancy and childbirth are seven to twenty-five times more likely to result in the death of a pregnant woman than is an abortion.[6] In contrast, the rate of major complications from abortion, with no pre-existing complications or concurrent sterilizations, was “0.5″ percent from 1975 to 1978.[7]

Another reason why I am pro-choice is because I believe that the fetus in the mother is not going through any pain. I know this because medical experts from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists state, “a 12 week old fetus cannot feel pain because there is no conscious awareness prior to the seventh month of pregnancy when the cerebral cortex is ready to function continuously.[8] Many anti- abortionists try to get across to others that the fetus can feel pain and is tortured when the medical act is done, however this “silent screams” falsehood is completely wrong and taken a bit too far. Personally, I don’t remember when I was in my mother’s womb, and I doubt the anti-abortionists remember swimming down their mothers’ canal either.

Also I have noticed that in many debates over abortion that religion is brought up. It is informed to all that it says this in the bible and that in the bible. Well what about other religions? What if a person doesn’t even know of GOD, or believe in them? Does this mean that they are going to go to heaven and hell, when they don’t even know what heaven and hell are? I feel that the decision of abortion must remain within the individual, and should be made on the basis of values and personal religious principles, whether they choose to include religion or not, and should remain free from political interference.

In conclusion, the issue of abortion continues to be discussed, debated, and even unfortunately, blow out of proportion. In hopes of settling this controversial issue, I’ve given my knowledge and beliefs on the matter. Getting across my main points, that it is the women’s right to choose if she wants to have an abortion, and that Pro-life imply a lot of misimpressions to society which are untrue.

Bibliography

1. D. Andrusko, “Idaho Passes Centerpiece RTL Legislation,” National Right to Life News, 15 March 1990

2. Human Resources and Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee, The Federal Role, op. Cit, (note 12) 10-11.

3. M. Specter, “Psychiatric Panel Condemns Abortion Restrictions,” Washington Post, 16 May, 1990

4. Amici Curie Brief of American Public Health Association, “Reproductive Health Services.” 15.

5. NARAL’s “The Safety of Legal Abortion and the Hazards of Illegal Abortion,” (notes 4-6) 2.

6. Human Resources and Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee on Government Operations, “The Federal Role in Determining the medical and Psychological Impact of Abortion on Woman,” 1989, 6.

7. C. Tietze and S. K. Henshaw, Induced Abortion: A world review, 1986, (New York, NY: Alan Guttmacher Institute, 1986) 104.

8. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, “Statement on pain of the Fetus,” 13 February, 1984.