The Ethics of Abortion

The Ethics Of Abortion

Essay written by Anonymous

Abortion is a very controversial subject that has been continually argued over for the past few years and probably many years to come. The main controversy is should abortion be legalized? First before we get into the many 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 mothers womb. This can be done by almost anyone from the mother herself to back alley abortions and even to abortions by clinics set up especially for this purpose. There are two sides to this abortion topic the PRO-LIFE which is those who are against abortion altogether and the PRO- CHOICE or those who believe it is the womans right to choose if she wants to have an abortion. These two groups offer different solutions to problem. The pro-life solution is to have the child and basically live with it. They believe abortion is not an answer. The pro-choice solution is abortion because of reasons they feel are appropriate. Although abortion is morally and ethically wrong should it be legal for victims of rape or incest who have no other alternative?

There is no real answer to this controversy, there are two sides to it though which have been arguing for many years over the subject. The first is the pro-life group. This group does not believe in the abortion factor. To understand where the pro-life stands we must first understand its beliefs and reasons for its beliefs. Then we can discuss what their solution to the abortion topic is.

Pro-life believes that rape and incest are very emotional topics. "They often elicit throughout the population feelings of revulsion; people draw back from the issue of rape and incest. People don't know how to handle a person who is in that much pain. There is no quick fix. That is why it is difficult for even pro-life people to come to grips with the argument over abortion in cases of rape and incest."

Some of those who are pro-life will allow abortion in these cases because they don't know what else they can do for the victim and except it as a rare case. But it is known that allowing abortion in these cases usually does not help the victim, instead it only worsens the problem because the victims needs are not being met.

But what the facts suggest is that only a minority of rape and incest victims actually choose abortion. This is where pro-life has its biggest problem. Pro-life states that "Abortion is not usually chosen as the immediate solution for rape and incest victims but that is the prevailing belief of the general population. A woman has been raped and made pregnant: "Oh, she's got to have an abortion." No one has studied the rape and incest victims needs; abortion is presumed to fill her needs."

Various studies and research indicate that rape and incest victims fall into a high-risk category of abortion. But what happens after a victim has an abortion? Jackie Baker a victim states: "I soon discovered that the aftermath of my abortion continued a long time after the memory of my rape had faded. I felt empty and horrible. Nobody told me about the emptiness and pain I would feel deep within causing nightmares and deep depressions. They all told me that after the abortion I could continue with my life as if nothing ever happened." (Reardon 21- 22) This is the story we hear from a lot of aborted women. Today in our society it is believed by most people that it is the womans fault just as much as the mans fault, if not more. many people think women are responsible for contributing to the rape itself. Then the rape victims feel self-blame and guilt. And even then a rape or incest victims family members or close friends may reinforce these negative feelings. Or they drop the problem because they don't know how to talk about it.

We even see the same thing in the abortion experience. When a person becomes pregnant because of rape or incest there is a permanent symbol of the rape, at least until it is aborted. Women who have had abortions fear being rejected by God and loved ones. It is a very traumatic experience which takes time. The fact is that you are really telling your loved ones of a death in the family.

Opinion polls have shown for years that women are more against abortion than men are. The women led the opposition of abortion. "In 1983 a Los Angelos Times poll found that only 47% of women (compared with 51% of men) favored the general availability of abortion." (Pro Life Feminism: Pro-Woman, Pro-Life 6) So what is this telling us? The facts are very clear men prefer abortion over women by a large percent. And most women do not agree with abortion. So why does it still exist today?

What pro-life feels is really happening is that in our society today abortion is becoming the solution to carelessness. Abortion does nothing to help the victims rape, and that is the problem they are trying to address in the first place. Instead abortion encourages the victim to vent their anger out on others.

Pro-life also believes that child birth on the other hand can be a victory. For those victims who chose childbirth over abortion it can be a triumph. It can state that the victim is not going to let rape destroy her life. When the needs of pregnant victims is closely examined it can be shown that abortion is not the answer and is in fact only worsening the problem. (Reardon 21-22)

But the worst strain abortion has on the victim is mental strain. Many victims become confused and overwhelmed by feelings they thought they would never have, and don't know what to do. After having an abortion victims thought they had solved the problem but in fact they had really just started a whole new one. Many victims began thinking there was something wrong with them and began to doubt themselves in situations that they would normally be sure of themselves. Others plunge into deep depressions which they don't come out of for weeks at end. This is one of the worst side effects of having an abortion and most women don't realize it will happen to them because they are too busy trying to correct the immediate problem. .

Pro-life persons don't have any reason to be ashamed to defend pro-life view in the case of rape and incest. They feel the ones who should be ashamed are the pro-abortionists who have been exploiting the problems of the victims.

Pro-choice has a different view to this whole abortion controversy. Pro-choice believes that it is the persons right to have an abortion if they want to and that no one should interfere with that right. Pro-choice has many reasons for feeling