Developments in various sectors of society have led to improvements in the socio-economic status of the individual. Apart from recent developments, there has also been the infiltration of certain concepts about individual health and moral standards. Of all the problems relating to health, gynecology remains the only sphere wherein substantial experiments have been conducted to support the cause of human health and promote healthy moral standards. Our field of concern is related to abortion which is the removal of an embryo or fetus from the uterus resulting in or caused by its death. For umpteen reasons, this social concern has invited the critical analysis of socialists, activists, medico officials, and women’s organizations over the years. A considerable decline in abortion has been witnessed and I propose to assess the factors that have contributed to the decline in abortion. The question to be analyzed is the reason why people go for abortion and its effects on individual health. The next is the reason for the decline in the number of abortions and the factors that contribute to it. For this purpose, I have decided to provide statistical analysis and certain historical facts in the U.S.A
The phenomenon has a historical background and hence, it does not fall into the category of a recent social and medical malaise. It could be evinced that during the earlier days, women weren’t allowed to disclose the matter due to social stigma or other cultural reasons. The advent of science and modern methods has helped various organizations to approach individuals and the concerned in allowing abortion under certain dire circumstances. Not considering an analysis, it can be safely estimated that more than 40 million people throughout the world would have undergone abortions over the last few years. It would be more effective to present expert opinions and decisions in this regard. The paper I have presented delves into the pattern of study taking into account details from various organizations which are authentic in their predictions.
As mentioned earlier, moral and legal aspects play a dominant role in assessing the impact of abortion. Abortion could be spontaneous, legal, and illegal. Spontaneous abortion is otherwise known as miscarriage that takes place during the initial gestational period of the fetus. This is natural as it depends on the health of the woman. Induced abortion could depend on various reasons that range from individual health, economic status to social position. Illegal abortion is often the result of low morale or indifferent attitude of the society to the continual persistent issue of the difference between the social status of a man and a woman.
A peep into the rate of abortion in America shows interesting graphics that relate to abortion. The research design that I have selected will cater to the interests of medical officials and women of the different cross-sections of the society through the work should not be considered the ultimate resource to provide any further research in this field. To account for the validity of the sources, I have taken into confidence, reports from trusted organizations. To present unplagiarized, true reports I have taken the support of the electronic media – the internet – which has been properly documented.
According to the Guttmacher Institute, a New York-based nonprofit organization that focuses on reproductive issues, the number of abortions has declined proportionally every year. The researchers have outlined the reasons for abortion:
- concern for / response to other individuals 74%
- cannot afford a baby now 73%
- a baby would interfere with school or employment or ability to care for dependents 69%
- would be a single parent or having relationship problems 48%
- has completed childbearing 28%
http://www.guttmacher.org/presentations/abort_slides.pdf
According to the Los Angeles Times, pills account for 13% of all abortions in the U.S.A.
“The U.S. abortion rate continued its downward slope to reach the lower level since 1974, according to a study published today by the Alan Guttmacher Institute (AGI).” To substantiate this finding, yet another fact that is stated below supports the fact. Continual and habitual abortions severely deteriorate the reproductive health of a woman. Another striking fact is the decline in the rate of abortion due to the decline in the number of abortion providers. The reasons for the same are outlined as follows:
- antiabortion harassment and violence,
- social stigma and marginalization,
- professional isolation/peer pressure,
- the “graying of providers”,
- inadequate economic or other incentives and
- lack of medical training
There is some relief in the U.S. as facts have been provided to show that abortion providers have been declined by 2% between 2000 and 2005 (from 1819 to 1787).
A detailed analysis of the reasons for the decline of the decline abortion in the U.S. clearly outlines that family pressures do not allow a woman to undergo the process. Against or willing the procedure the family sees a threat to its privacy. Women often face a hostile group of people who intentionally harass or resort to violent methods to curve individual freedom. Families also see abortion as a social stigma and lead to the marginalization of sections of society. This causes severe mental and physical torture to the subdued. Yet another glaring fact is professional isolation or peer pressure wherein the individual has to bear the child on account of pressures from friends and the circle of influence. Very often the woman who is promised economic or other incentives is not adequately provided with. Lack of medical training and fitness quotient is yet another cause for the decline in the number of abortion providers. The most important of all the reasons is the “graying of providers”.
Contraceptive pills and condoms have been specifically designed to suit the needs and demands of people all over the country. An estimated 44% of the total population of the U.S. use contraceptives and the fall of abortion is due to the effective use of these sources. 49% of the total population of the U.S. uses condoms while 76% use pills. No doubt that people have resorted to using devices that protect them against contracting AIDS and other venereal diseases. Though the population at large has helped to control the rate of abortion it has harbored a disease that reduces the life span of an individual.
It is striking to note that ‘planned parenthood, new medications and increased birth control contribute to decline in the rate of abortion. Emergency medications, sometimes called “morning-after-pills”, such as Plan B have grown in popularity.’
Teenagers have also started taking precautions. The following text confirms the statement. “Teenagers’ choices to become sexually active and to use contraception, as well as their ability to obtain and use contraception if this choice is made, are influenced by many factors. These factors operate at the individual level (e.g., knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, future expectations, substance use), the interfamilial level (e.g., family structure, parent–child communication, socioeconomic status), the extra familial level (e.g., peer influences, sexual health education at school, health services) and the community level (e.g., norms and values concerning teenage pregnancy). Some of these factors are readily modifiable, such as individual knowledge about sexual health, but others are not easily changed or cannot be changed at all”.
It can be suggested that increased restrictions within the family and outside, along with the growing use of contraceptives have contributed to the downward trend. It does provide great relief to know that women in a different section of society are wholeheartedly cooperating with their governments to enhance healthy living. Mc McCormick, Editor of The Spectator quotes Lisa Boyce, Vice President of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin stating that “access to birth control and family, planning education were the stemming causes of the decline in abortions.’
Apart from social organizations coming forward to some extent to resolve the situation, teachers and other well-wishers have played a major role. The education system in the U.S. has strictly introduced sex education in schools to increase awareness of unwanted pregnancies and wanton behaviors. They have also made students realize the importance of safe sex. It has been seen that there is a deep drop-in ‘crime due to the reduction in individuals said to have a higher statistical probability of committing crimes: unwanted children, especially those to mothers of African – Americans, impoverished, adolescent, uneducated, and single.
Thus we see that a sizable proportion of the population in the U.S. shirk from abortion or do not resort to it due to various above said reasons. In the course of this study ethical issues and implications seems to arise. I would like to bring to the notice of the concerned authorities that the problem of abortion cannot be terminated but its pace can certainly be reduced. It largely depends on the individual – male or female to choose to live up to his/her dignity and to bring about a dramatic change in the culture of society It is not the U.S.A. that solely faces this predicament but it is also realized by the developing, under developing and other developed countries.
Having discussed and analyzed abortion and the recent decline in the rate of abortion in the U.S.A., it would be appropriate to estimate the ethical issues involved in it. To arrive at the issues, I would first chart out the need for having principles in life, the importance of family, the role of society, and adhere to the codes of law. A person must cultivate certain principles for himself and follow them strictly according to the best of his conscience. This would enable the individual to arrive at realizing the importance of family, children, friends, and colleagues. An affectionate bond based on mutual trust and faith should be the guiding light of every individual. Tolerance and control of the senses should be practiced. Uncanny desires and false justifications lead to crimes beyond control. Once a victim of unruly desires, the person would find it impossible to control himself and would reduce into a social menace.
The facts, statements, and electronic evidence support the view that abortion is indeed the worst crime that can be committed by any individual even without a criminal record! Would anyone want to become a random baby killer? The answer to this question lies in the moral and ethical standards of an individual, a society, a code of law, and the country as a whole. To eradicate this evil, cooperative efforts by individuals themselves belonging to varied social and political dominations are demanded.