The Politicization of Abortion - Literature review Example

Abortion Abortion is the deliberate act ending of human pregnancy before delivery can take place. Many nations have already crafted and passed laws regulating this practise. Abortion remains a personal decision for women in many cultures. However, it is my argument that, women should embrace abortion as a procedure should only when there are convincing reasons. Factors Influencing Parental Involvement Among Minors Seeking an Abortion: A Qualitative Study by Hasselbacher, Lee A, JD; Dekleva, Anna, AM; Tristan, Sigrid, MD; Gilliam, Melissa L, MD, MPH The authors went out to seek factors that influenced childrens decision whether to involve or exclude their parents when seeking for an abortion. According to their findings, most minors involved their parents, and this could be linked to a variety of issues. They include; supportive parents, feeling that disclosure was inevitable, need for assistance and they were also forced to disclose in some cases. The authors argue that children felt a desire to involve those who were close to them especially during the time of pregnancy and at the time procuring the abortion. Daughters will fail to include their parent so as to preserve the existing relationship, to preserve autonomy and fear. A childs decision not to include the parents may result from family situations where their involvement would not be helpful, might harm the child or where the parents are most likely to restrict the abortion. Some minors are concerned that their parents would disagree with their decision or even try to persuade them to continue carrying the pregnancy against their wishes. The authors urge that, laws regulating parental involvement are not crafted to recognise the complexities that exist in relationships between children and their parents. The laws do not improve communication and also fails to acknowledge the factors that motivate children to involve their parents. The Impact of Contraceptive Failure on Unintended Births and Induced Abortions by Bradley, S. E., T. N. Croft, and S. O. Rutstein There are cases where responsible birth control fails and results in an unwanted pregnancy. Contraceptive failure substantially adds up to raising the levels of unplanned pregnancies and induced abortion. The authors assert that an unplanned pregnancy is a common challenge for mothers and families in low and middle-income nations. According the studys findings, over 50% of cases of abortion in developed countries occurs in women who had used contraceptive a month before. The authors note that the higher rate of contraceptive use in the country, the higher the rates of induced abortion. Contraceptive use is a clear indication that a woman does not want to conceive, but every year millions of women become pregnant while on contraception. The authors argue that women cannot effectively control their birth through contraception alone and hence the need for abortion. In this case abortion is seen as a backup if contraceptive fails. Contraceptives will not succeed to prevent unplanned pregnancies but will results in more cases of abortion as consequences of contraceptive failure. The paper concludes by noting that there is a need to provide more efficient contraceptive methods for women especially in developing nations where majority of women continue using the traditional method not valid. Defining and tracking abortion complications: how do we do it, and why does that matter? by D. Taylor, U. Upadhyay, S. Desai, E.A. James and R. Abi Samra There are medical conditions that might necessitate an abortion. They include infections. Most uterine infections while carrying a pregnancy run the risk of spreading to other body organs exposing the woman to high danger. The authors argue that, heart complications also severely affect a pregnancy. Pregnancy increases blood volume and the rate of flow. In turn, this overworks the heart. People with artificial or defective valves are at a higher risk of complication. Preeclampsia can also trigger the need for an abortion; this is a condition where the pregnant woman develops extremely very high blood pressure putting on the risk of having a stroke. The authors assert that, those who are expecting twins may develop severe preeclampsia when the foetus dies in the womb. A condition like this may induce acute organ failure, and death is eventual for the mother unless doctor induces an abortion. The paper argues that, the need to terminate a pregnancy in some cases is not just choice for some mother, but rather a decision to save their personal life. There are instants where a mother does not get a chance to decide due to her deteriorated medical condition. In such a situation the decision is reached by the medical care provider, who has to try whatever is possible to save both the lives of the mother and the foetus. A case like this is an example of a complex medical crisis which is outside the expertise of a physician who is not a specialist in this type of a procedure. Doctors never intend a death for both mothers and the foetus. The authors assert that, researchers have discussed abortion for a long time, and this discussion intensifies when people perceive abortion as an alternative method to control birth. Medical practitioners all over the world continue to affirm that they sometimes undertake abortion procedures to save the lives, and or the health of the pregnant mother. Then again, arguments like this have become tools to perform abortions anytime for any other reason. The Characteristics and Severity of Psychological Distress after Abortion among University Students by Curley, Maureen, and Celeste Johnston Although abortion provides relief for women who undergo the procedure, they experience psychological challenges later. There exist controversy about abortion and it prevents these problems from being recognised and treated. The author asserts that the psychological complication includes increased suicidal behaviour, stress, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and abuse of drugs and alcohol after abortion. The authors further argue that younger women are at a higher risk of developing mental complication after abortion. Developmental stage in young women is linked to post-abortion psychological distress. The link can be as a result of several factors that could include; single relationship status, lack of proper social support, concealment of the pregnancy or abortion and the pressure to undergo an abortion. Emotional guilt and confusion after an abortion may cause a repetitive abortion in young women. After an abortion, young women may engage in high-risk sexual behaviour like as unprotected and promiscuous sexual encounters, which, unfortunately, lead to more unplanned pregnancies and necessitating abortions thereafter. The article authors concludes that medical practitioners have an obligation, both ethical and professional, to develop and offer intervention that seeks to address the psychological challenges associated with abortion especially in young women. Such services should target women want such them. "Rape-Related Pregnancies: The Need to Create Stronger Protections for the Victim-Mother and Child by Stevens, Margot EH Abortion can help a raped woman to cope with the trauma that ensues. This article argues that people widely misconceive sexual assault pregnancies. In the majority of cases, it is acceptable that sexual assault victims would want an abortion because the procedure would help then in some way contribute to recovering from the aggression and emotional pain associated with rape. The authors argue that abortion preserve the dignity for both the mother and the foetus. The society usually deduces wrong explanations regarding abortion in cases of rape and incest. The reason behind this could be, the real experience of the victims who unfortunately, becomes pregnant is always not considered in the debate. People including sexual assault victims who never became pregnant, are hence forming opinions rooted in prejudices and fears which do not relate to the reality. In the case of teenage pregnancy abortion is argued to afford the girl a chance to continue living her life usually. The Effects of Motherhood Timing on Career Path by Miller, Amalia R For most women, giving birth changes their lives. Being pregnant most of the time changes a womans career path. Sometimes, their capacity to handle work is severely affected when they give birth. Delayed motherhood is argued to contribute to an increased earning potential; this is especially for college educate women. Ladies with educational commitments may also choose to undergo an abortion procedure to enable them continue with the study normally. Those who stick to study are in a position to develop stable and better paying career that those who choose motherhood earlier in their life. The paper argues that bringing up a child requires resources and effort on the part of the parents. Mothers especially single may look at the prospect of bringing up of a child by themselves as challenging especially when they dont have stable jobs. The desire to avoid single motherhood and stick to a particular career path might necessitate an abortion procedure if by chance a woman conceives. Moreover, bad economic times have a dramatic impact on poorer womens choice to maintain an unplanned pregnancy. The Politicization of Abortion and the Evolution of Abortion Counselling by Joffe, Carole Abortion counselling receives various challenges. They mostly come from the increasing politicization and stigmatization. Research associates the two factors since the United States of America legalized abortion. It is the author view that abortion counselling has been affected by many factors including the imposition of antiabortion laws and also by the evolving needs of its recipient who has grown in a changing world. This paper agrees that, the leading cause of abortion is unwanted pregnancies and in most cases poor women have a reduced access to reliable contraceptive. Poverty has been closely linked to cases of terminating pregnancies. Rather than making laws that restrict abortion, the author proposes measure that can reduce the abortion rate. The most cost-efficient, honest way to reduce the abortion rate all over the world is by ensuring women who do not plan to have children do not conceive pregnancy by allowing them access to reliable contraceptive. The political class should come up with the measure that addresses poverty and welfare of poor women. Stigma and Abortion Complications in the United States by Harris, Lisa H Stigma is discrediting an individual as a result of their association with abortion. There exists a stigma associated with abortion worldwide. This article argues majority of mothers who seek to undergo abortion procedures chooses to maintain their decision a secret to escaping stigmatization. The entire world, stigma is an identified as a possible trigger of maternal morbidity and mortality from unsafe abortion, even when abortion is within the law. Causes of abortion stigma include personhood being attached to the unborn babies, legal restrictions, and the idea that abortion is filthy. Pro-life activists have used stigma intentionally as a tool for the anti-abortion movement. It is the authors view; mothers may self-induce termination of pregnancy in unsafe ways. They might also seek secret abortion from unqualified health practitioners because of fear that their sexuality, pregnancy, or abortion can come to light if they present to a safe, licensed facility. Some abortion patients seek to wish to keep this a secret from family and friends, and this shows an awkward situation when the procedure causes other medical condition. However, cases of unsafe abortion are rare in the developed world but are common in third world countries In conclusion, it is evident that\abortion are rampant in today society. As law regulating the practise continue being enacted, a lot of care needs to be taken to ensure that this does not lead to secret abortions. Abortion should only be practised where there are compelling reasons. Currently, the practise of abortion helps sidestep the real issues that women experience. For instance, raped women should be more concerned with abuse rather than opting for an abortion. Work cited Bradley, S. E., T. N. Croft, and S. O. Rutstein. "The impact of contraceptive failure on unintended births and induced abortions: Estimates and strategies for," http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CC8QFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fiussp.org%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fevent_call_for_papers%2FContraceptive%2520Failure%2520Unintended%2520Births%2520-%2520Bradley%2520Croft%2520Rutstein%2520-%2520IUSSP%25202013.pdf&ei=zlieVOeJG-nLygOfo4H4Cw&usg=AFQjCNFCHAWJvyEZ3NFwm1crukaEPaV8Mw&sig2=sadi_3AhVdsKkeJvhXHv4g&bvm=bv.82001339,d.bGQ Curley, Maureen, and Celeste Johnston. "The Characteristics and Severity of Psychological Distress After Abortion among University Students." The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research 40.3 (2013): 279-93. ProQuest. Web. 27 Dec. 2014. http://search.proquest.com/business/docview/1418117304/fulltextPDF/91DF6533B63A4071PQ/3?accountid=45049. Harris, Lisa H. "Stigma and abortion complications in the United States." Obstetrics & Gynecology 120.6 (2012): 1472-1474. http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/2012/12000/Stigma_and_Abortion_Complications_in_the_United.30.aspx Hasselbacher, Lee A., et al. "Factors Influencing Parental Involvement Among Minors Seeking An Abortion: A Qualitative Study." American Journal Of Public Health 104.11 (2014): 2207-2211. Business Source Complete. Web. 25 Dec. 2014. http://search.proquest.com/docview/1619995900/5394A09767A045A9PQ/1?accountid=45049 Joffe, Carole. "The politicization of abortion and the evolution of abortion counseling." American journal of public health 103.1 (2013): 57-65. http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2012.301063 Miller, Amalia R. "The Effects of Motherhood Timing on Career Path." Journal of Population Economics 24.3 (2011): 1071-100. ProQuest. Web. 27 Dec. 2014. http://search.proquest.com/docview/862426346/abstract/58C438DE617744CFPQ/2?accountid=45049 Stevens, Margot EH. "Rape-Related Pregnancies: The Need to Create Stronger Protections for the Victim-Mother and Child." Hastings LJ 65 (2014): 865-1191. < https://litigation-essentials.lexisnexis.com/webcd/app?action=DocumentDisplay&crawlid=1&doctype=cite&docid=65+Hastings+L.J.+865&srctype=smi&srcid=3B15&key=9408304e206155dcdf0125a4ded26f7e> Taylor, D., et al. "Defining and tracking abortion complications: how do we do it, and why does that matter?." Contraception 90.3 (2014): 293-294. Read More