Why Is Abortion Wrong

Abortion is the deliberate termination of a pregnancy followed by the death of the embryo or fetus. There are tow types of abortion: chemical; used at the beginning of the pregnancy and surgical, used when the pregnancy is advanced.

Various studies have been conducted to show the psychological effects following an abortion. According to the results some women experience depression and anxiety. These psychological effects reflect on several factors. Abortion may relieve stress by ending an unwanted pregnancy, but the event itself may simultaneously be experienced as a stressor causing anxiety grief, guilt, despair and anger. These factors could lead to depression, as feelings of powerless, anger and self-condemnation are emotions that underlie depression. Controversies exist whether abortion is linked with mental health or not. Future research requires a better understanding of the conditions that lead to unwanted pregnancy and abortion with the ultimate goal of improving women’s lives and well being.

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

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

The topic of abortion is very controversial. Many believe that an abortion is morally wrong while others think that everyone should have a choice whether to keep the baby or not. Shafer-Landau states in the introduction of The Ethical Life, “morality is the code that we should live by” (Shafer-Landau 1). Many different religions have different point of views whether abortion is morally right or wrong. Many different people have questions about how we ought to live and what we should believe (Shafer-Landau 1). I personally sit on the fence whether abortion is right or wrong because I can agree with certain points from both pro-life and pro-choice but, for this paper, I’m going to support the pro-choice side of abortion. I believe everyone who is having a baby should have a choice to abort it if that is what they want.

The definition of abortion is "expulsion of the fetus from the uterus, due to any cause, before the twenty-eighth week of pregnancy." Abortions are broken down into the following six categories:

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy before the time of extra-uterine viability. An abortion terminates the life of the embryo, (the fertilized egg before three months of growth) or the fetus after three months” (Pederson & Watson, 2003).

Many studies have shown that abortions can cause psychological damage including an increased risk of depression and anxiety. “A peer-reviewed 2005 study published in BMC Medicine found that women who underwent an abortion had ‘significantly higher’ anxiety scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale up to five years after the pregnancy termination.” (ProCon 6) Those who are pro-life believe that abortions will help the mother live a normal life instead of having to take care of an unwanted baby. Studies have shown that people who get abortions usually end of regretting their decision. Getting an abortion may have seemed to be the right choice at the time, but when the mother’s relieve what they actually have done it can cause them to become depressed as shown in these studies. Not only can abortions cause psychological damage, but also physical damage. Many studies have linked an increased risk of breast cancer to abortion. “A Feb. 2014 study published in the peer-reviewed Cancer Causes and Control found that abortion ‘is significantly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer’ and that ‘the risk of breast cancer increases as the number of [abortions] increases.’”(ProCon 16) Based on the number of abortions you have your risk of breast cancer can increase. Additional, most women who get an abortion end up getting more than one. In their case their risk of

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

Bellieni, Carlo V.Buonocore, Giuseppe. "Abortion And Subsequent Mental Health: Review Of The Literature." Psychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences 67.5 (2013): 301-310. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Web. 7 Mar. 2015.

3. What were the findings from the study? The findings from the study was that ⅓ of women had psychological effects from having an abortion. Most of the women suffered from depression and worrying about being able to conceive. The data also showed that 43.7% of women had decreased self esteem , 39.5% of women had nightmares , 37.5% of women had guilt and 33.3% of women had regret which was the lowest number of the percentages.

Women who get abortions have an 81% higher risk to get a mental health disorder. There is over 50% of an increased chance for post-abortion women to get suicidal thoughts, mood disorders, social anxiety, and abuse alcohol and substances. It was found that 14% of women in the U.S suffer from all symptoms of PTSD post-abortion. After getting an abortion, women are twice as likely to become heavy smokers and still smoke during a wanted pregnancy, which could harm both the mother and child (“Abortion Risks: A list of major psychological complications related to abortion”).Overall, abortion can greatly affect the mental and physical health of post-abortion

When women have an abortion, it can cause psychological damage. In 2008, peer-review study found that adult women who undergo abortion may be at an increased risk for subsequent depression. Also in 2005, peer-review found out that women who underwent an abortion had higher anxiety score on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression up to 5 years

Abortion as an Ethical Issue In recent years, abortion has become one of the world’s most discussed ethical issues. This has made a huge impact on both men and women’s lives. There are many different views on abortion dating back from the Old Testament to the present day. I intend to show you all of abortion’s conventional arguments.