Abortion is the process of intentionally ending a pregnancy. Abortion touches the hearts of many because its consequences result in the loss of a human life. Its controversy stems from the fact that people’s opinions on this matter are rooted in their value systems, religious beliefs, and political socialization. Its prominence in political discussions today is likely to continue given the relationship between unwanted pregnancies and overpopulation. There is often debate about the constitutionality of abortion, as it is not specifically addressed by any doctrine. As a result, there has never been an explicit national law enacted.
• What are the psychological effects of abortion on mental health of female teenagers and young
The practice of abortions throughout the United States are safe. Abortions have become safer since the procedure was reluctantly legalized in the United States-by the Supreme Court-in 1973. According to The American Medical Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs the number of deaths associated with abortion drastically dropped from roughly four out of every one hundred thousand women in 1973 to .6 per every one hundred thousand women in 1997 (Abortion is Safe). These statistics show that procedure in how an abortion is performed has become safer since legalization. Legalization of abortion permitted the procedure to be performed in a sterile setting- such as a hospital operating room. The medical risk associated with an abortion procedure is highly overestimated. An abortion performed exactly as medically advised carries half the risk of a tonsillectomy (Abortion is Safe). (A tonsillectomy is a simple procedure that is performed on many children in their childhood.) On the other hand, anti-abortion advocates point to emotional problems that could harm the pregnant woman after an abortion. These advocates attempt to show there is a link to mental disorders in post abortion women. A New Zealand study looked to verify this claim. The analysis showed that there was a credible link between depression, suicide attempts and substance abuse in post abortion women (Cords). Researchers also aimed to connect having an abortion with post-traumatic stress disorder
Nearly 81% of women who receive abortions experience subsequent mental health problems according to a recently published study by The Royal College of Psychiatrists. The study demonstrates that the aftermath of an abortion can result in higher rates of anxiety, depression, various forms of substance abuse, and suicidal behavior. As a result of the study, it shows that women who have an abortion face almost double the risk of mental health problems as women who have their baby. This outcome is due to the fact that most women who are terminating pregnancies “may feel a greater sense of loss, anxiety and distress due to lack of support”, as summarized in the Guttmacher Institute, a non-profit reproductive health organization. In fact, a five-year study shows that 25% of
One of the most widely discussed issues within the topic of abortion is the mental health of the mother. Research by Guttmacher Advisory says “Based on the best scientific evidence currently available, there is no credible evidence that abortion, in and of itself, causes mental health problems for most women.”(2008). Guttmacher backs their claims with studies and research done by the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA states that many studies didn’t take into account how a woman’s mental health was before thinking about abortion. They also point out that any significant life event is stressful such as divorce or a death so one cannot say abortion
In the overarching state of humanity, few topics are as important to the long term societal standpoint as abortion. Even more important and contested is the controversial subject of whether or not a woman will endure long term psychological effects or disorders after said abortion. This subject has been highly debated, with valid points made by both sides. It is important that we all look into these repercussions, especially since approximately 33% of women will undergo an abortion by the time they reach forty-five years old. This often challenged subject has many aspects. The main ideas that I researched where whether or not having an abortion leads to a higher risk for mental health issues, whether or not “post-abortion syndrome” is a
In this study they estimated mortality rates from 1998 to 2005. Their data was gathered from reports posted out by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System. They looked at pregnancy-related mortality, common maternal comorbidities, and the characteristics of women. The data they found was over a ratio of 100,000 births and 100,00 abortions. In the discussion part of their study and one of their recognized strengths they explain that expressing information like mortality risks into ratio format is easier to understand. Pregnant women considering their options should be entitled to have accurate information about their risk factors (Raymond & Grimes, 2012). They found that 10.4 deaths occur per 100,000 live births and 0.6 deaths occurred per 100,000 abortions. All together their results conclude that according to national data sets, legal abortion in the United States remains much safe than
Cohen, Susan A. "Abortion and mental health: myths and realities."Guttmacher Policy Review 9.3 (2006): 8-16. Web 27 Jan. 2016.
Since abortions legalization in 1973, it has become a topic ensnared by controversies as groups debate abortions moral and ethical consequences. Most often the controversy over abortion comes down to a person’s moral stand point on the subject, however, most people are not apprised of the possible long and short term psychological effects of receiving an abortion. Multiple studies preformed over the years have endeavored to determine the extent abortion has on women’s mental health with vastly varying results. Articles written by Coleman and Fergusson surmise women who undergo an abortion operation are highly prone to experience some variety of psychological harm. Other researchers like the American Psychological Association (APA) task force
Unwanted children are an indirectly responsible for a huge number of family problems, such as child abuse, divorce, and poverty. Women between 15 and 19 account for at least 5 million abortions every year.In some cases, the child would be relying on a single mother while in high school, have a non-supportive family, and won’t have the financial resources to support a child. Which can be led into negative health and psychological consequences?
In addition, one of the most troubling causes of the aftermath of a medical procedure such as abortion is the difficulty of a woman's health condition. Not only in their minds but as well as internally. Due to being in the constant pressure of making such a decision, women had a double risk of difficulties compared with others and that one in ten of all mental health problems is a result of abortion. This is according to researchers, such as Dr. Morteza, that specialized in this subjected field that had conducted a study based on these issues. The study had stated that abortion was associated with a thirty-four percent greater chance of anxiety disorders, thirty-seven percent higher possibility of depression, and a one hundred and fifteen percent greater risk of trying to commit suicide. These percentages are a notion that is consequential to a woman's being and should be taken into consideration. Additionally, there are various prescription psychiatric medications that have harmful or unknown
My second scholarly article, Women's Rights on the Right: The History and Stakes of Modern Pro-Life Feminism, by Mary Ziegler, actually goes against my belief on abortion. It talks about how abortion actually harms women instead of help them. After reading this article, it has helped me see from the other point of view that opposes mine. The findings suggest that abortion in young women may be associated with increased risks of mental health problems. In particular, various writers have recommended that premature birth may have longer-term unfriendly psychological wellness impacts inferable from sentiments of blame, uncertain misfortune and self-esteem issues. Everything has its pros and cons, and for abortion it’s the same way.
There has been a recent study that shows many complications after abortion. 62% Higher Risk of Death from All Causes, 2.5 Times Higher Risk of Suicide Compared to women who give birth, women who abort have an elevated risk of death from all causes, which persists for at least eight years. Higher risk of death from suicide and accidents were most prominent. Projected on the national population, this effect may contribute to 2,000 - 5,000 more deaths among women each year.1 Southern Medical Journal, 2002. 65% Suffered Trauma, 31% Had Health Complications In this study comparing American and Russian women who had experienced abortion, 65% of American women studied experienced multiple symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which they attributed to their abortions. Slightly over 14% reported all the symptoms necessary for a clinical diagnosis of abortion induced PTSD, and 84% said they did not receive adequate counseling. 31% had health complications afterwards.4 Medical Science Monitor Medical Science Monitor, 2004. Even though safe abortion is used throughout the world it has a high risk of having side effects on your
Fetal pain has evolved into one of the main arguments for pro- life activists, despite 91% of all abortions happening in the first 13 weeks and 98% happening in the first 20 weeks. The fetal pain argument is often coupled with the myth, that abortions lead to a variety of mental health disorders like depression and drug abuse, but a study
This author has chosen to discuss the ethical issues of abortion. This is a highly debated topic that will exist amongst women. It is happening at high rates. “In 2013, 664,435 legal induced abortions