Ethics of Abortion
Abortion is a very controversial subject that has been continually argued over for the past few years and probably many years to come. The main controversy is should abortion be legalized? First before we get into the many sides of abortion we must first define abortion. Abortion is the destruction of the fetus or unborn child while the child is still in the mothers womb. ... There are two sides to this abortion topic the PRO-LIFE, which is those who are against abortion altogether and the PRO-CHOICE or those who believe it is the womans right to choose if she wants to have an abortion. ... They believe abortion is not an answer. The pro-choice solution is abortion because of reasons they feel are appropriate. Although abortion is morally and ethically wrong should it be legal for victims of rape or incest who have no other alternative? ... This group does not believe in the abortion factor. ... Then we can discuss what their solution to the abortion topic is. ... That is why it is difficult for even pro-life people to come to grips with the argument over abortion in cases of rape and incest." Some of those who are pro-life will allow abortion in these cases because they dont know what else they can do for the victim and except it as a rare case. But it is known that allowing abortion in these cases usually does not help the victim, instead it only worsens the problem because the victims needs are not being met. But what the facts suggest is that only a minority of rape and incest victims actually choose abortion. ... Pro-life states that "Abortion is not usually chosen as the immediate solution for rape and incest victims but that is the prevailing belief of the general population. A woman has been raped and made pregnant: "Oh, shes got to have an abortion." No one has studied the rape and incest victims needs; abortion is presumed to fill her needs." Various studies and research indicate that rape and incest victims fall into a high-risk category of abortion. But what happens after a victim has an abortion? Jackie Baker a victim states: "I soon discovered that the aftermath of my abortion continued a long time after the memory of my rape had faded. ... They all told me that after the abortion I could continue with my life as if nothing ever happened. ... We even see the same thing in the abortion experience. ... Opinion polls have shown for years that women are more against abortion than men are. The women led the opposition of abortion. "In 1983 a Los Angelos Times poll found that only 47% of women (compared with 51% of men) favored the general availability of abortion. ... The facts are very clear men prefer abortion over women by a large percent. And most women do not agree with abortion. ... What pro-life feels is really happening is that in our society today abortion is becoming the solution to carelessness. Abortion does nothing to help the victims rape, and that is the problem they are trying to address in the first place. Instead abortion encourages the victim to vent their anger out on others. ... For those victims who chose childbirth over abortion it can be a triumph.