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Abortion: Examining Ethical Considerations and Alternatives


Question
QUESTION: I can understand certain situations where abortion is a choice, for rape victims and for women who could die because of it. But, what about those who choose not to use any sort of protection and become pregnant. Is it really fair to kill an innocent child just because you weren't responsible for your own body? There are no age limits for buying condoms and they aren't all that expensive, certain clinics hand them out for free! And there are many other forms of protection as well. If the woman chooses not to use protection then why should she be allowed to abort the baby?

ANSWER: Hi Madison :)

It's someone's own personal choice whether or not to use protection. Some women can't use hormonal birth control, for medical reasons or due to a bad reaction to the hormones. Other methods aren't nearly as protective, and are bothersome to many women. It's not killing an innocent child, it is aborting a group of cells. Should the child have to pay because it's mother didn't want it, and then neglects it? No. Motherhood should not be forced. And condoms aren't always effective. Some women can be on hormonal birth control and using condoms, and still get pregnant. It happens. No method is 100%, even condoms + hormones. Other methods aren't extremely effective. You have to insert a sponge or diaphragm before intercourse, and have to be personally fitted for a diaphragm. Not everyone wants to deal with that hassle, or has the money to see a doctor for a pelvic exam/fitting. Spermicides have a 28% failure rate. IUD's can dislodge, and withdrawal is not a good method to use. What the woman chooses for birth control, if anything at all, is solely up to her. And she should be allowed to terminate in any situation, because it is HER uterus and HER body. Dictating what other women should do with their own anatomy is not ok. Their decision doesn't affect anyone but themselves.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: You claim people don't want to deal with the hassle or the expenses of birth control. But, do you realize how much of a hassle an abortion would be? You'd still have to deal with doctors, and there are a lot of physical and psychological complications as well. Not to mention that, depending on the sage of pregnancy, the cost for an abortion can be as high as $1000. What about the women who can't afford a medical expense like that? Compare this to using condoms, $5 for a three pack, or getting the pelvic exam/fitting, which is about $200.

Yes it is a woman's choice what she does with her body, but her decision will also affect the ones around her, like her family, her partner, and the child's. Its not just a bundle of cells, it is a living creature. We were all the same at that very stage of life, even you. Imagine if your mother or my mother decided to abort us? We wouldn't be here on this website having this conversation. We'd probably be decaying in a dumpster or landfill somewhere.
As I've said before, I can understand an induced abortion for saving the mother's life, or in cases of rape or incest,  but if you can't be bothered to go out and get a $5 pack of condoms then you shouldn't bother having sex in the first place. :-/

Answer
Only for some are there psychological implications for abortion. And the hassle is due to there not being enough providers, a surgical abortion takes no longer than 10 minutes. And yes, the waiting is probably horrendous, but if there were more providers I'm sure that could be eased up. Some insurances cover abortion. And 5$ for a three pack will add up for many people, considering many will buy larger than a 3 pack. Some people don't like condoms; they dry out, cause pain, and for a monogamous couple who are clear of STI's, they don't necessarily have to be used. Without insurance covering hormonal birth control, it can be around 60$ a month, and for college students, that takes its toll. And using a diaphragm can definitely be a hassle, since the woman has to insert it before every act of intercourse, and go and get a fitting. And the diaphragm isn't going to always prevent a pregnancy.

Her decision doesn't necessarily affect her family. There are women who get an abortion and their family never knows. It's not their business what she does with her uterus. And her partner can be very supportive-talking about what she would do if a pregnancy were to occur is very helpful, so there is less a chance of surprise. And the child is affected-another child won't come, so it will get more attention and care from it's mother. And sometimes women are just not financially ready for another child, or they feel it's too soon and would take away from their care for the other child.

Yes, it IS just a bundle of cells, that's fact. Of course we all were. And I obviously wouldn't care if my mother had aborted me, I wouldn't even be aware of it or my existence, and I'm glad she had me because she wanted to, not because she was coerced to. What about miscarriages? And menstruation? That's technically getting rid of "a potential life." And the medical term for a miscarriage is a spontaneous abortion-same process as an induced abortion. And no, we wouldn't be decaying in a dumpster-many aborted embryos or fetuses are too small to even see.

Condoms are not 100% effective. A woman should be able to have sex regardless. If she makes that decision, then it's her decision. Doesn't affect us. Condoms break, aren't stored properly, or are misused, which is very easy to do. And what if you have only one left, and it breaks? It's hard to just forget about your sexual urge and stop. If emergency contraception was more available and cheaper, this would prevent half of the unintended pregnancies that do happen. Until there is a 100% method of birth control that is easy to use and cheap, then there will be accidents-they can happen to anyone.