Introduction
Since the 20th century, induced termination of pregnancy has become one of the global problems of our time. Today, the number of abortions worldwide has reached 55 million annually, more than half of which are illegal (Hurst, 2020). The number of women dying as a result of abortions and subsequent complications is enormous. While the problem is not as severe in developed countries, in developing countries, the number of pregnancies terminated equals or sometimes exceeds the number of children born. The consequences of induced abortion are serious. These include, above all, the development of infectious diseases. The surgical procedure can lead to dangerous bacteria infiltrating the uterus, which can cause diseases. Such diseases seriously affect the health of the patient and can also be fatal. Therefore, the topic of abortion remains one of the most pressing social topics in the world today.
Health issues that abortion can cause
It should be understood that abortion is not only a medical problem but also a social one, demonstrating the level of morality of society. It is no coincidence that absolutely all sides of the world society joined the discussion of this problem. The church also expressed its position on this issue, expressing the opposing point of view of a significant part of our society. Some researchers state that many people would prefer the abortion phenomenon as abortion not to exist at all (Kershnar, 2017). First of all, such actions cause not only physical but also psychological damage to the woman. Most religious and conservative movements advocate the prohibition of abortion on the basis that abortion is murder. Even though biologically speaking, during the permitted abortion period, the embryo is not yet a human being, society actively supports the stigmatization of women who choose to have an abortion (Hurst, 2020). This is why many women face social pressure after an abortion, which negatively affects their psychological health.
However, alternative movements defend women’s rights to their bodies and, consequently, to abortion. They argue that the attempt to limit or even ban abortion strictly is motivated by anything but concern for the woman and her child (Francome, 2017). In my opinion, the authorities that are going down the road of tightening the laws governing the right to abortion are making a grave mistake. It does not matter whether politicians are guided by ideology, an attempt to flirt with specific segments of society, or a search for solutions to demographic problems. What is essential is that women are deprived of their choices, often condemning not only the woman herself but also the child to suffering.
The societal perception of abortion
Many questions remain unanswered when a woman is prohibited from having an abortion. For example, who will take care of abandoned children? Many abortions are done because the child is unplanned, and the young parents do not have the money to support it (Kershnar, 2017). Another issue involves who will look after the dying baby. In countries where abortion is banned, it is forbidden even if fetal malformations are found. Moreover, this means women will have to carry the child to term, understanding what lies ahead. In Brazil, for example, abortion is allowed only for victims of sexual abuse and if the pregnancy threatens the mother’s life (Francome, 2017). However, abortion is prohibited when the fetus is deformed or knows in advance that the child will be disabled.
Problems caused by the prohibition of abortion
It is unbearable to think about what it would be like to know that one would give birth to a child doomed to an incurable disease or imminent death. Finally, the final question is who will monitor the health of the woman who tried to have an abortion clandestinely. Some women will still try to get around the law and abortion, given these problems. Uncertified doctors in unsanitary conditions perform most clandestine abortions (Kershnar, 2017). They can be far more dangerous to women’s health than the same abortions performed in an official clinic.
Conclusion
To summarize, the problem of abortion is acute around the world today. The government’s efforts to combat abortion are better directed toward sex education for adolescents, and toward making contraception available. In the end, these efforts can be directed toward social work. However, a woman should not be deprived of her choice; she should not be forced to give birth. Banning abortions will not solve human problems, but it can create them. Psychological problems then include social pressure on women and accusing them of killings. However, abortion up to a certain point is not such. In addition, a woman can get health problems by taking advantage of clandestine abortion services. Such services are often provided by inexperienced or uneducated doctors, which can be fatal for the woman who decides to undergo the procedure. Admittedly, legal abortion at an official clinic can also be dangerous to one’s health. However, the consequences that can arise in the case of forced delivery are much more catastrophic. They include the lack of money to support an unwanted child and the psychological burden of raising a pathological child.
References
Hurst, R. A. J. (Ed.). (2020). Representing Abortion. Routledge. Web.
Francome, C. (2017). Abortion in the USA and the UK. Routledge. Web.
Kershnar, S. (2017). Does the pro-life worldview make sense?: Abortion, hell, and violence against abortion doctors. Routledge. Web.