Abortion Analysis - Case Study Example

Abortion – case study The term abortion refers to the clinical removal of fetus from the uterus that results in or is caused by the death of the same. From the very moment of its initiation, it was subject to many controversies. This controversy or debate led to the evolution of two groups, namely, pro choice and pro life. The pro-choice movement extended huge support to abortion and regards that it is morally permissible. The paper presents a case of a young mother and argues on ethical and legal grounds whether abortion can be justified to mothers aged below 16 years. We may briefly introduce the case first and then move on to understand the legal framework relevant to the case followed by simple arguments for both sides, ethical principles, code of ethics to be followed by social workers and finally anti discriminatory practices in order to prove that the young girl who is the victim in our case, had the right to abortion and I, as the nurse she consulted am bound to advise likewise. The case referred here is that of a 14 year old who becomes pregnant unintentionally. She lives with her black Christian parents who are anti-abortion in their perspectives and do not know of this. Hence she got in touch with a nurse at school in order to understand what her options were about termination of her pregnancy. She was going through troubled mental health. Let us now debate upon which decision I, as the nurse (role play) should take. Let us first use the legal framework to look at the problem in hand. The Abortion Act of 1967 states that a British woman is permitted to opt for abortion only if it has been certified or granted by two doctors that abortion is permissible and on the contrary pregnancy would jeopardize her life as well as physical health condition. Also it needs to be proved that she would be physically better off by undergoing abortion than by continuing with her pregnancy. The socio economic disadvantage of the woman is also another ground under which abortion might be granted. General practitioners have the authority to give birth control related advice as well as suggestions towards abortion to young girls below 16. (Francome and Freeman, 2000) The current law regarding abortion is also derived form the 1967 Act, except that the tenure for the fetuses is being reduced. From the legal viewpoint therefore, the girl would require the consent of two medical professionals or doctors if she wants to undergo abortion. I being her advisor am entitled to certify that she needs abortion but certain jugglery of arguments is essential and these are presented eventually. The following arguments will help me take a decision in favor of the girl: As a health professional I am responsible to project care and maintain confidentiality of the patient. Hence it might be expected that I would not disclose the matter to the parents of the young mother, knowing that they were anti abortionist. Pregnancy might be the consequence of a nonconsensual sexual intercourse. This is mostly the case of rape incidents and cases of molestation. Logically, this is not the fault of the victim and hence she should not be punished by having to bear the baby against her will. In such a case, if the baby is born, he or she will remind the girl about her past experience and might be the cause of her mental unrest in future. Individual autonomy of the young people needs acknowledgment and recognition. Every individual has self-respect and their will need to be respected. Thus if she wants to abort the child it is entirely her decision and should not be tampered or influenced. An adolescent is usually emotionally dependent on their family and their psychological maturity depends a lot of this stage. There would be a huge blow if the girl’s parents come to know of it and do not support abortion. Moreover they might disown her and hence withdraw all kinds of support. This would negatively affect her mental and physical status and also her career. Hence I would keep it confidential. The health of the baby might be endangered in certain cases and this might also be a valid ground to permit abortion. This might be judged from the mother’s health condition. The girl needs careful examination if this might be a factor to back her case. All the above arguments might be tested for application in the case of the young girl and if one or more applies I might have reason to prescribe or suggest abortion. We will now look at some of the arguments which might arise against the girl’s decision or will. Yet, I have provided some refutations for each argument against the case, as follows: In case of ectopic pregnancy the procedure of abortion might go wrong and endanger the life of the patient further. Yet proper checking and especially ultrasonography might make the situation more transparent for me. The provision of easy access to abortion will give more liberty to the young people to engage themselves in sexual activities. If her case were considered in this light then there would be a problem. Yet if reasons supporting abortion were strong for her then this ground would not be valid from individual standpoint. An adolescent is usually not mature enough to take a morally correct decision independently. Therefore I might decide to take the opinions of her parents. Yet this considering that this might complicate matters and lead to a biased decision in turn I may decide otherwise. It is unfair to think that a youngster may decide without her parents’ consent regarding a serious issue like abortion. Yet, the duty of the law is to protect all citizens alike and should be neutral without looking at personal liaisons. Thus, she might legally take her decisions without any parental influence. The decision to abort is not a trivial decision and might conflict with the religious values as in the case of the girl who belongs to Christianity. This conflict might be sorted out at my discretion and following the choice of ethical perspective. Despite the negative arguments we need to consider the arguments in favor as well as the code of ethics as a social worker. The Code of ethics for the Social Workers for British Association for Social Workers enforces upon the social worker the duty to give priority to the interest of the service users. (Pierson and Thomas, 2006) The social worker should responsibly work with others in order to look after the concerns of the individual concerned for her and the community’s benefit. Hence, going by the general code of ethics, apparently I am responsible towards the interest of the black youngste, yet when the issue of community’s concern comes into play I have to think about the religious aspects which might be a hindrance (the young girl is a black Catholic). Ethical perspectives have various angles to look at a single case. It is our personal choice, which decides which one will gain priority in our life. Here the decision would be the social worker’s. The following concepts might help us look at the problem and come to suitable decisions. Deontology: The Catholics view abortion as murder and also according to this belief the young child below 16 years is unable to take her own decision in the right manner. Kantian: this approach is in favor of abortion as here, trusting people and thinking about the individual’s well-being and autonomy is the prime concern (Sullivan, 1994: 105). Therefore, the girl’s probability to be endangered in life due to the unwanted birth is the prime concern and abortion may be permitted. Utilitarian: everyone is counted as one and going by this approach the consent of her parents and the community is essential. This might negate the case of abortion for her if the people decide against it. Teleology: In this approach the consequences will determine the righteousness of an action (Woodfield, 1976:1) and hence the abortion of the girl might or might not be supported by this view since it would be determined by the net benefit or loss to the girl and the community. Virtue ethics: This approach speaks in favor of honesty, trustworthiness and loyalty (Darwall, 2003: 51) and hence before involving the parents I would appreciate the honesty of the girl and consider being loyal to the service user and thus advice for abortion. We would now move towards a discussion of the issues presented so far and it is time for the final decision. The case has so far been discussed in the context of legal and ethical points and in each instance; her case has been connected. Finally we may come to a conclusion after giving the finishing touches to our discussion. Being a black Catholic places her in a disadvantageous position but certain ethical principles stand in favor of her case. The principle of justice suggests anti-discriminatory fair treatment of individuals and non-malfeasance suggests that a person should not do any harm. Acting complementarily the beneficence principle aims at doing good to others while autonomy gives right to an individual to his or her decision-making. The abortion would benefit the life of the young girl and save her form unnecessary social harassment. Eradication of all forms of discrimination is important and based on moral and ethical principles therefore I should advice in favor of abortion and also help the black young girl find a second suitable opinion in order to terminate the unwanted pregnancy according to the Abortion Act of1967. I would therefore take my decision based on the above discussions and derive the support from the different principles discussed before. On grounds of anti discriminatory measures associated with sexism, racism, disabilism and ageism, (Thomas, 2006) one might be assured that her case should be judged with individual sympathy and understanding and from the perspective of Kantian and Virtue ethics, as also, the principle of justice, beneficence and non malfeasance. Hence I, following my code of ethics would advice her to terminate her pregnancy and also send her to another doctor in my contact who would permit her the same. Thus by law, she should be entitled to abortion and I would show her the options available for termination of her pregnancy on grounds of anti discrimination and principles of justice and ethics. References 1. Darwall, S. (2003). Virtue Ethics, NY: Wiley-Blackwell 2. Francome, C. and E. Freeman. (2000). British General Practitioners Attitudes Toward Abortion, Family Planning Perspectives, Vol. 32, No. 4, July/August, 3. Pierson, J. and Thomas, M. (2006), Collins internet-linked dictionary of Social Work, reset edition, Glasgow; HarperCollins Publishers. 4. Sullivan, R. (1994). An introduction to Kants ethics, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 5. Thompson. N. (2006), anti-discriminatory practice, Hampshire; Palgrave Macmillan. 6. Woodfield, A. (1976). Teleology, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Read More