Think Before You Abort

By Jaimie Van Antwerp

Roe v. Wade and abortion demographics shed light on both sides of the spectrum when examining women’s abortion rights. Abortion demographics statistics also demonstrate social reasons for the majority of abortions.

At close examination, Roe v. Wade states that “abortion be legal up until the point of birth if any one physician willing to perform an abortion decides it is necessary to preserve a mother’s health.” This supports the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform statistics, where 6 percent of abortions occur because of potential health problems to the mother or child, and only 1 percent occurs because of rape or incest. That means that 93 percent of abortions are performed because the pregnancy was unwanted or inconvenient.

These statistics demonstrate that we need more responsibility in our system and not just a thought or whim. Abortion should not be about social reasons; it should be about psychological stability and overall health. Abortion should not be about social ramifications.

Individuals can argue that there is less psychological impact upon a mother by receiving an abortion than childbirth, but numerous arguments don’t support it. Whether complaining of nervous disorders or sleep disturbances, 31 percent of women reported regretting their decision and some were prescribed psychotropic drugs from their family doctor. The psychological effects can be very significant and lifelong as compared to the psychological state before the abortion.

Suicide risks also increase after abortion. “The suicide rate after an abortion was three times the general suicide rate and six times that associated with birth.” When dealing with my life, I would rather not be harming my personal psychological health by receiving an abortion. There can be psychological effects of anything, but counseling before deciding on an abortion would be best.

Numerous effects also linked to abortion like future children. If the mother already has children and how they are affected by the abortion, and that’s not counting the health risks if the abortion goes wrong or performed inadequately.

Reasons for abortion are personal, but 93 percent of abortions are performed for social reasons. Abortion should only be legal in cases of documented health risks to the mother or child, and cases where rape or incest can be proved; all other reasons for abortion should be outlawed.