A Study of Abortion and Problems in Decision‐Making*

Különleges Bánásmód - Interdiszciplináris folyóirat

This study is the second part of the examination, considering the multifaceted feature of debates surrounding the termination of pregnancy. Although we may suppose that the so-called pro-life and pro-choice supporters have already paved their rigid ways of thinking with no possibility or hope for any modification, it might come as a surprise to learn that even Christian and Buddhist points of view can be tuned. Health-related disciplines, such as psychology keep reflecting on the issues of abortion with more and more emphasis on the post period of it.

2011

Academic Essay, 2020

Abortion, the deliberate termination of pregnancy, remains one of the most contentious issues in contemporary society, drawing sharp divisions between pro-choice advocates, who emphasize women's autonomy, and anti-abortionists, who argue for the rights of the fetus. This paper explores the ethical, psychological, and philosophical dimensions of abortion, examining the complex interplay of personal, societal, and moral considerations. Central to the debate are questions of individual autonomy, gender roles, and the moral status of the fetus. While pro-choice supporters view abortion as a necessary choice to protect a woman's well-being, pro-life proponents often frame the fetus as possessing an inherent right to life, challenging the permissibility of abortion. This paper argues that abortion can be morally justified before 23 weeks of pregnancy, as it allows women to exercise self-determination while avoiding potential suffering for both mother and child. It critiques the pro-life stance, suggesting that it is rooted in speciesism and a disregard for the mother's autonomy and well-being, while highlighting the misogynistic tendencies embedded in the moralization of pregnancy. Drawing from empirical research, philosophical theory, and psychological insights, this paper advocates for a more open, supportive, and informed societal approach to abortion, emphasizing the importance of emotional and psychological support for women facing unplanned pregnancies. It concludes that society must prioritize education and research to ensure that abortion remains a safe and ethically grounded option, free from stigma and judgment.

Gender & Development, 2018

The title of this book had me both startled and intrigued. One does not tend to think of abortions as being 'happy'. And indeed, this is one of the main arguments around which the book is fashioned: that social, cultural, political, and even economic representations of abortion over the past four decades have emphasised the putative negative effects of abortion on women. The dominant 'emotional script' that impinges on women, the author argues, depicts abortion as an incredibly difficult choice made in response to extraneous circumstances that are beyond the woman's immediate control; it requires women to justify their abortion, preferably by citing the best interests of their potential children, to grieve their lost children after abortion, and to keep their abortions secret out of a sense of shame or guilt. (Introduction, p. 1)

Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 2014

INTRODUCTION Pregnancy is a complex part of being a woman-it encompasses sexuality, a relationship, confrontation with contraception, the realisation of being pregnant, decisions and consequences (McCulloch, 1996:25). Mogano (1999:10) and Zimmerman (1997:15) agree that the discovery of an unwanted pregnancy evokes a variety of feelings in the woman, which lead to emotional turmoil. Feelings that are experienced range from ambivalence, surprise, happiness about fertility, fear of foetal abnormality, fear of birth, joy over motherhood, anger, feelings of guilt, confusion and shame, to anxiety about the social, economic, educational and emotional consequences of the pregnancy. An unwanted pregnancy is often welcomed after a few days of anxiety and insecurity (Mogano, 1999:10). However, an unwanted pregnancy can also bring about pain and impetuous decisionmaking. The woman with an unwanted pregnancy finds herself in a crisis and the solution is often accompanied with feelings of pain (Kaufman, 1997:5; Mojapelo-Batka, 2000:3). Occasionally teenagers become pregnant while they are still at school, and this affects the entire life of the girls in that it can destroy their dreams about the future (Mogano, 1999:8). Although an abortion is not a solution to the problem of an unwanted pregnancy, it is often regarded by some as the only way out (Le Roux & Botha, 1997:170). An unwanted pregnancy and the experiences that pregnant women who request an abortion have are discussed in this article on the basis of the results that are obtained from the empirical investigation. Adolescence as a development stage and teenage pregnancy is singled out because it is characterised by unique elements that do not form part of the experiences that the adult pregnant woman has. PROBLEM STATEMENT In the social sciences it is accepted that the normative family structure is the nuclear family in which the father and mother together care for their children, and the gender roles determine the allocation of work within the family. Other family structures are often seen that deviate from this norm. Yet conceptions concerning the family have gradually changed and single-parent families have increased. Unwanted pregnancies, abortion or alternative forms of care for children are studied by social scientists because they threaten the two most important cornerstones of society, namely economic wellbeing and family life (Howes & Green, 1997:1, 5). The legal termination of pregnancy has been a reality in South Africa since 1997. The reproductive rights of women are acknowledged, which implies that women can have pregnancies terminated safely and confidentially on request (SA, 1996:1304). Although abortion is legal, safe and accessible to all women in South Africa, it is still the woman's decision and it is accompanied by mixed and contradictory feelings such as isolation, relief, pain and rage (Rulashe, 1999:23-24). Women often experience the social, psychological and family tensions that accompany an unwanted pregnancy and this is seen as a crisis (Forrest, 1994:4; Kaufman, 1997:5). The decision-making process for the woman with an unwanted pregnancy is emotionally painful http://socialwork.journals.ac.za/

2006

Abortion has been a controversial issue in all cultures, races and civilizations. Even in the animal kingdom, the killing of the young by its mother is considered hideous and dreadful. But the reason why humans, known for its higher and more sophisticated intelligence, should legalize the practice of abortion rocks the mind with absolute puzzlement. The article tries to uncover some hidden tragedies associated with abortion, namely the mental health of women and families that engage in such practice. In America, Roe vs. Wade, which permits liberty under the Due Process Clause to eradicate unborn fetuses and avoid parental consent for teenagers, has been stretched to far and today the Courts make decisions concerning obstacles to abortion by the state and maintained that the right to privacy is intertwine with individual's right to his or her body, and therefore has the right to choose should and should not be accepted by the individual. The article tries to re-examine the right ...

Unpublished Ph. D. Thesis, University of Kent, 2001

In this chapter, I aim to explain why law and policy on abortion in Britain was framed through reference to the effects of pregnancy for a woman's mental health. I also hope that I can make a convincing argument as to why we might consider such law and policy problematic for women.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2013

Feminism & Psychology

In contemporary times, ?abortion? is one of the important dilemmas confronting to human society. It is a dilemma from which we cannot escape, and to which we have a collective responsibility to address. All dilemmas have two alternatives, and to choose one over the other can be a very difficult choice for any person. Even though there might not always be a ?solution? which can be universally applied, we have to decide what ought to be done in various situations. Human beings are responsible for their actions and morality depends on human actions. But morality does not exist in a vacuum, and what defines morality varies from situation to situation. So in decision-making, there is a place of the ?virtue of prudence?. Most of us try to take the best decision possible in a particular situation. It is therefore important for individuals to practice prudence. Each individual should know the criteria of what exactly defines ?prudent? behavior, what the grounds for good human action are, and what actions are morally justifiable. In this regard, I shall analyze Philippa Foot?s suggestions vis-?-vis the debate of abortion. In this Paper I have two Sections. In the first section I am discussing the various moral issues on abortion and I begin in section II by discussing a speculative framework of choice that outlines the ways and give an exposition of the value of prudence which is used in this area and also offer some suggestions for changing the existing legal, social, and political scenery to better respect the capacity of all women for reproductive self-determination. I also briefly discuss the implications of my analysis for the future of the broader abortion debate.