A Real Victim of Abortion

Introduction: The Dilemma of Choice

Have you ever been in a situation where you only have two options to choose from? If yes, how did it go? If not, then good luck to you. I ask you this question because millions of women face this situation every day, asking themselves whether to abort or not. Yes, I am talking about abortion. I want to discuss its causes, why women decide to abort their child. Then I’m going to show you who the real victims are—is it the poor baby or the mother? Finally, I'll explore the long-term consequences the mother has to endure.

Understanding Abortion

First, let’s ask ourselves, “What is abortion?” According to Wikipedia, "abortion is the ending of pregnancy by killing the fetus before it can survive outside the uterus" (Wikipedia, 2023). According to the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), around 56 million abortions are performed each year worldwide (UCSF, 2023). But why do women do this? The most common answers are: unwanted pregnancy, financial inability to support the baby, fear that the baby would interfere with their future career, and lastly, an unwillingness to become a mother.

UCSF states that around 70% of women abort their child because of unwanted pregnancy. The reasons include being too young to become a mother, relationship problems, and many are single mothers. Another 60% of women state that they are financially unable to support their baby’s needs due to not having a good-paying job, still relying on their parents, or already having a child they cannot support financially. Additionally, 35% abort the baby out of fear that the baby could affect their future career. Another 35% of women abort due to the unwillingness to become a mother for personal reasons.

Premature birth has distinct forms. The threatened abortion is vaginal bleeding that occurs in the initial 20 weeks of pregnancy. The bleeding is sometimes accompanied by abdominal cramps. These symptoms indicate that a miscarriage is possible. The inevitable abortion, also called induced abortion, occurs when the termination is certain to proceed. Abortion often results from poor judgment regarding potential outcomes, highlighting a critical issue in reproductive decision-making.

Who Is the Real Victim?

With all these deaths surrounding abortion, it makes you wonder, “Who is the real victim?” Most would say that the baby is the obvious victim, but let's consider a different perspective. Consider the mother: according to a hospital study in 2015, mothers often abort their child due to fear of societal judgment, inability to provide for the baby, and pressure from their partner to abort the child (Anonymous Hospital Study, 2015).

According to Lind Bird Frankie, a professional journalist, feminist, and pro-choice activist, many women she interviewed expressed a tremendous amount of guilt while waiting in the abortion room. They questioned the "what ifs" of the situation—"What if I let the child live?", "Would I be able to support the needs of the baby?", "What would my life be if I let this child live?" In one interview, she asked a mother who had already aborted three babies what was on her mind during the process. The guilt was so overwhelming that she nearly fainted (Frankie, 2023).

Long-term Consequences of Abortion

According to one psychiatrist, the outcome of abortion can scar you for your entire life. Many mothers suffer from depression, anxiety, trauma, and, in the worst cases, some turn to drugs to cope with the guilt (Anonymous Psychiatrist, 2023). From another perspective, abortion is caused by irresponsibility in our actions. I consider this murder because it ends someone’s life. All of this can be avoided by taking responsibility for your actions and practicing advanced family planning. Based on my research, the real victims of abortion are the unborn child and the parent. I now leave it to you to decide whether you would consider this an option for an unwanted pregnancy.

Conclusion: A Reflection on Responsibility

In conclusion, the issue of abortion is multifaceted, involving ethical, financial, and personal dimensions. It challenges us to reflect on our responsibilities and the consequences of our choices. It is crucial to approach this topic with empathy and understanding, recognizing the complex realities faced by those who must make this decision.

References

Anonymous Hospital Study. (2015). Study on the Social Pressures of Abortion. Retrieved from [URL]

Anonymous Psychiatrist. (2023). The Psychological Impact of Abortion. Retrieved from [URL]

Frankie, L. B. (2023). Perspectives from the Abortion Room. Retrieved from [URL]

University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). (2023). Global Abortion Statistics. Retrieved from [URL]

Wikipedia. (2023). Abortion. Retrieved from [URL]