Discussion: Abortion (Essay Sample)

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Abortion
Introduction
Abortion which is the purposeful expulsion of fetus is rampant in many parts of the world and has generated endless controversy with some against it while others supporting it. Abortion therefore terminates pregnancy and it is with various religious, ethical and legal considerations that many nations and states have passed laws in abide to address the same. Around the world, abortion is legalized in some quarters while it is forbidden in others. Despite various abortion laws being enacted in many countries, it still remains a sensitive and hotly contested issue. Against this backdrop, this paper critically explores abortion by considering both ethical and legal and religious grounds.
Discussion
With the complexity cultures in different societies, coupled with moral values and religious beliefs of different communities in the world, abortion has remained a hotly contested and debated issue. While some countries and communities see abortion as morally wrong although allowing it some circumstances, other communities have vehemently opposed it. Some religious leaders, governments and other human rights groups have vehemently opposed it arguing that since abortion is taking a babies life, it is viewed as a murder since life of a baby starts at conception. Xalxo points out that abortion is in total disregard of the universally accepted respect for human sanctity. In most civilized societies, laws forbids a person from deliberately taking or harming the life of an innocent one and abortion is akin this. Xalxo further notes that since killing is a punishable crime in societies, abortion is no different as the life of an innocent baby is terminated CITATION Xal07 \p 102 \l 1033 (Xalxo 102).
Abortion is a risky and painful process that does not guarantee the safety of the mother. According to Barnes, abortion can turn out to be fatal or cause medical complications experienced later and depending on the abortion type, its life long can vary to up to 21 days in order to come to completion and this requires frequent visits to a doctor to guarantee some degree of safety. It has also been noted that abortion may double the chances of ectopic pregnancies, pelvic inflammatory disease and miscarriage in pregnant women also increases (Barnes, para 4). Other side effects experienced due to drugs used include fever, hot flashes, abdominal cramping and headache. Potts et al. assert that although it has not been conclusively proved, abortion may reduce a woman’s chances of giving birth in the future thus rendering the woman childless forever (Potts et al., p 321).
According to Potts et al., excessive bleeding which can be fatal is a serious complication in every abortion. Tissues that remain as a result of abortion may cause abdominal cramps, pains, and serious bleeding during the first few weeks after the procedure (Potts et al.). Potts et al., explores that bleeding, besides being fatal if not promptly control, it may cause many medical complications. Barnes posits that infections are commonly associated with abortion where bacteria may find its way to the uterus. In the hands of an unlicensed physician, it may also lead to infections such as sexually transmitted diseases or uterus perforation during cervix dilation (Barnes, para 4).
Several contraceptives are known which have been developed and widely accepted as ways of preventing pregnancies. Abortion mainly has been used as a way of eliminating pregnancy and according to Barnes, abortion should not be taken as another contraceptive. Hoggart notes that although abortion can be used as a birth control measure, it promotes and encourages reckless behavior among women where they engage in extra-sexual affairs and use abortion as a cover up (Hoggart, para, 32). Hoggart further posits that women should prevent unwanted pregnancies by using alternative contraceptive or abstaining rather than opting for abortion (para 32). Barnes sums that abortion also encourages irresponsible and immoral behaviors by according women opportunities to engage in immoral solutions of solving problems and getting away with it (Barnes, para, 38).
Studies have shown that incidence of abortion are common among young women or minors who have no adequate experience to face life’s challenges. Hoggart reiterates that women opt for abortion as a knee jerk response to circumstances and end up regretting later (Hoggart, para 33). According to Barnes, women should seek psychological guidance from psychiatrist or other experts before opting for abortion. Barnes also notes that abortion leaves the victim with stress and psychological stress that might potentially affect the life of a victim forever. Although abortion may not affect individuals who associate with the victim, Barnes is quick to point out that abortion robes the victim of her future (Barnes, para 17).
Although abortion has been widely opposed, it is realistically imminent and inevitable in some instances. This position has been given credence by numerous cases which have legalized abortion only if there is a sound and convincing reasons to warrant one. Notable case is the Roe v. Wade ruling which overruled a Texas law on abortion thus making it legal in the USA (Barnes, para 35). The decision by judges legalized that a woman basing on the right of privacy and with the advice of a doctor could procure an abortion in its early months. During these early months, the judges noted that abortion can be procured as a medical decision in the opinion of a physician. On the other hand, abortion during the second trimester would be deemed as a legitimate state interest in protecting the mother’s health CITATION Sha01 \p 6 \l 1033 (Shapiro 6).
Proponents of abortion have termed it as a pro-choice undertaking that draws no correlation with two different lives. Since abortions are done during the early months of pregnancy, the fetus cannot be deemed as independent since it is attached to the mother through the placenta and umbilical cord. According to Barnes, the fetus cannot be termed as separate since it cannot exist in isolation and its health is dependent on the mother’s (Barnes, para 34). Procuring an abortion therefore is mother’s choice that should not take into consideration the life of a baby.
Statistics have shown that abortion is a safe procedure when carried out by specialized medical personnel. Majority of women at 88% procure an abortion during the early months and according to Chervenak and McCullough, most medical abortions are successful and the risks of complications are less that 0.5 % and in most cases do not interfere with a woman’s ability to sire in the future or her overall health CITATION Che09 \l 1033 (Chervenak and McCullough).
Juniors or young women deserve a better life in the future and abortions serves to keep their hopes alive. Young women who become mothers are likely to drop out of school in order to take care of their babies, and the prospects ...