Introduction

In 1991, while asked for her thoughts on abortion, Brook Shields responded; "Too many

people use abortion as a form of birth control.” A straight to the point opinion outlining what has

become one of the most abused privileges in modern society and culture. Legalized in 1973,

abortion was intended to assist cases of pregnancies that had resulted from rape or endangered

the mother’s life. Even to end accidental pregnancies in a society that was still without proper

means of sexual education and contraceptives. Since then, abortion has quickly become one of the

most unnecessary medical procedures in the United States with reasons far from legitimate.

Today there are greater and more predominate means of preventing pregnancies. There are also

more unethical factors pertaining to abortion as well as high risks of a negative aftermath

following the procedure. For these reasons, unless a pregnancy directly puts a woman’s life in

jeopardy, abortion should assume its former illegal status.

Better preventative measures could have been taken.

If a woman is not ready to become a mother, there are plenty of advancements in

contraception to just about guarantee she does not become pregnant. Modern medicine provides

a wide range of contraceptive products that when used correctly can be 99% effective against

pregnancy[1]. There are over twenty-five main types of contraceptive devices in addition of

hundreds of different brands. There are sixty-two million women in the United States between
the reproductive ages of 15-44. Seven out of ten of these women are sexually active without the

intention of becoming pregnant.[2]. To meet the demand for pregnancy prevention, one in three

retailers in the United States have some sort of contraceptive, usually condoms. [3] They are

widely available in convenience stores, grocery stores, gas stations and pharmacies to name a few.

In addition to retail, publicly funded family planning clinics provide free contraceptives. Federal

employees are guaranteed insurance coverage for contraceptives. Nine in ten employer-based

insurance plans cover a full range of prescription contraception which in the case of 27 states, is

mandatory under the law[4]. With all these types and means of obtaining contraceptives,

preventing an unwanted pregnancy is not difficult. Most of these can be used dually (i.e. a

condom and birth control pill) to further increase odds against pregnancy. With all these

methods of contraceptives available in such a wide variety of places, preventing pregnancy can be

achieved, thus eliminating the need for abortion.

Despite easy access to contraceptives, the rate of accidental pregnancies is absurdly high

with two out of three pregnancies being unplanned[5]. About 88% of abortion recipients live in

metropolitan areas; one of the easiest areas to obtain information regarding safe sex and

contraceptives[6]. In all, 40% of the total American female population will receive an abortion in

their lifetime. An additional, 50% of women having an abortion for the first time are results of no

contraceptives used whatsoever,[7] highlighting the thoughtless actions of many sexually active

women. Only 54% of women getting an abortion admitted to using protection. 49% of those
women admit to using a condom incorrectly and 78% said they missed using birth control pills.

This shows those women are not using contraceptives properly, frequently enough or not at all,

meaning the deaths of millions of unborn children can be attributed to irresponsibility. A

woman’s ill-considered behavior is not ground to terminate a life through abortion.

To further help diminish the need for abortion, sex education should become more

prominent throughout the United States, especially in schools where sexual education is almost

non-existent. Teenage abortion makes of 11% of the total American abortion count[8]. Until

recently, the official stance of the U.S. government was abstinence, which was heavily promoted

in schools leaving no room for realistic sexual education. Even now there is no federal law

requiring schools to teach safe sex or any guideline for safe sex.. With no idea of how to prevent

pregnancy, American teenagers have the highest rates of teenage pregnancies among developed

countries with over 750,000 teen pregnancies a year; a third of them ending in abortion[9].

Despite the American view and promotion of abstinence, statistics have shown proper sexual

education leads to safer sex and therefore, less unwanted pregnancies. Louisiana schools have no

sexual education whatsoever but have one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy in the United

States. Washington on the other hand teaches everything from birth control pills to

homosexuality and has one of the lowest rates. Therefore, by educating the public about safe sex

and contraceptives, unplanned pregnancies will become less frequent, drastically decrease the

abortion rate and eliminate the need for abortion.

 There are some people who feel that abortion should be legalized to aide cases of accidental

pregnancies. However, there is not enough evidence of precautions being taken to make this

statement valid. Once, while discussing the subject of safety, author and economist Stephan J.

Dubner stated “When you can reverse the effect of risky behavior, like unprotected sex, aren't

people more likely to engage in such behavior?”[10]. This exhibits that people are not using

abortion as a necessity or in the case of an accident, but as means of birth control. As already

said, there is a vast variety of methods and means of obtaining contraceptives making it virtually

impossible become accidentally pregnant. In addition, data gathered regarding the use of

contraceptives was not very high amongst women who had received abortions. This proves that

“accidental pregnancies” do not really exist. There are however women who are not careful and

risk becoming pregnant as a result. Accidental pregnancies are therefore an invalid argument for

legalizing abortion.

Unethical factors involved

Adversely, a large number of pregnancies are ended for unethical reasons. The World

Health Organization claims gender preference and fear of prejudice are a large factor of why

abortions are pursued[11]. Since most countries have laws pertaining to the equal treatment of

genders, aborting a fetus because of its gender is technically illegal since it displays

discrimination. Some women acquire an abortion because of social prejudices pertaining to single

mothers. However single parents account for raising a third of American children[12]. Another
induction of attaining an abortion is family size control. Even though 60% of abortion recipients

already have children and 73% are financially capable of raising a child. This exposits that many

women are terminating pregnancies because of factors they find unappealing or inconvenience

them for nonessential reasons. These are contempt and unethical reasons to seek an abortion.

Abortion laws also show unethical disadvantages to fathers of unborn children. A woman

legally does not need to inform or gain permission before receiving an abortion. While several

examples of lawsuits have been filed under sexual inequality regarding childbearing and

contraceptive decisions, a near non-existent number have been won[13]. Men who have been

aware of abortions experience feelings of anxiety, guilt and/or grief and yet still do not have an

equal say under the law[14]. A further one in three of abortions recipients are married and several

of these abortions occur without telling husbands. Since men are partially accountable for

pregnancies, disallowing them to have a say in what happens to their children, unborn or not, is

unethical and unfair.

Of the most extreme displays of unethical treatment within abortion is the actual abortion

itself. Since the 1993 case of Tremblay v. Daigle, the Supreme Court of Canada established a

non-viable fetus (one that cannot survive outside the womb) is not legally considered a person.

And yet 10% of abortions occur in the second trimester when with the right medical equipment, a

fetus could potentially survive. Another example of unethical behavior during abortions are the

actual methods of doing it. One method referred to as an intact dilation and extraction is by no
accounts humane; regardless of any circumstance. This method involves either decompressing a

fetus’ head and then extracting the remainder of the body, or just simply removing the fetus from

the womb, limb by limb.[15] If this method were ever preformed on a born human, it would be

severely criticized and disdained. The fact that performing this on an unborn fetus goes without

scrutiny is morally and ethnically wrong as well as inhumane.

A common argument for the legalization of abortion is that a fetus is not yet a human

being. Yet most people would agree that a human has needs such as oxygen, food and shelter, can

react to a stimulus, feel emotion, can recognize things such as sounds and has a heartbeat. All of

these things a fetus requires or can do. Science defines life as anything that requires basic needs

such as food and can react or respond to a stimulus[16]. The English language defines life as

something that is active and/or thriving[17]. With both definitions met, a fetus is most definitely

a human thus eliminating any arguments otherwise.

Aftermath

Once an abortion has been preformed, there is still a traumatic aftermath to cope with.

This can not only just affect the woman, but those around her. Once a woman has had an

abortion, she becomes at risk for several mental side effects. High stress levels and potentially

depression usually follow suit which can cause women to have higher risks of coping with

problems and distress. [18] This could affect her relationships with friends and family,

performance at work and other areas within her life. One Norwegian study conclusion showed
women who have undergone abortions faced mental distress longer than women who have

suffered a natural miscarriage[19]. Should abortions become illegal, the women affected would

not be at risk of negative mental affects and would have a complete nine months to think of

affects their pregnancy will have and determine if they wish to keep their child or put it up for

adoption,

In addition to mental side effects, safety is also an area of concern pertaining to abortions.

Like most surgical procedures, a woman undergoing an abortion runs a risk of not just injury, but

even death. On average, 70 000 deaths of women worldwide are the cause of abortions. In the

United States 2 in every 1,000 woman obtaining an abortion is either killed or injured.[20]

Infections and damage to reproductive organs, resulting in the woman becoming sterile, are

examples for injuries sustained from abortions. Further problems are increased with the use of

anesthesia. It increases the risk of complications since it relaxes the uterine muscles, thus making

it easier to perforate.[21] Since a vast majority of laws are put in place to secure the safety of

people, abortion goes against the grain of that idea by increasing the risk of a woman’s health and

safety; another reason alluding to why it should be outlawed.

There is obviously no way for a woman to predict her feelings following the procedure or

to reverse her decision. Since most states decree an abortion must be preformed within the first

trimester, thousands of women are more then likely rushing into it with a defective idea of what

toll it will have on them. As a result, Post Abortion Syndrome (PAS) runs prominent through
women who have undergone the procedure. PAS causes women to feel deep regret following their

abortions and is quiet common as 58% of women admit to regretting their abortions. This can

prompt women to become advocates for pro life and/or face hesitance at starting a family later on

in their lives.[22] The plaintiff in the famous case of Roe v. Wade, Norma L. McCorvey, was a key

figure in prompting the U.S. government to legalize abortion. Yet after her ordeal, she became a

decisive figure against abortion. Taking an indication from such examples shows that outlawing

abortion would save millions of women from highly regrettable mistakes.

One might argue that a woman obtaining an abortion now has a burden or weight lifted

and can now resume her life without effect. However, undergoing an abortion would only make a

woman feel worse. While struggling with how to cope with an unwanted pregnancy, a woman

might feel confused and stressed about her options and how to make up her mind in nine

months. She might also feel embarrassed depending upon the circumstances of her pregnancy,

such as being a single mother. However, any emotion following an abortion is far worse. Anxiety,

sadness, shame, regret and anger are just some emotions that will follow and are proven to last

longer compared to the feeling of a woman who has suffered a miscarriage[23]. In addition,

woman undergoing an abortion are also at higher risks of depression, a mental disorder

commonly associated with suicide[24]. This shows that a woman is not being relived of any sort

of stress but in fact, furthering it.

Conclusion
 A vast assortment of reasons exists to display the irrelevant need for abortion. It should be

reinstated as illegal to confront the endless abuse of its use. There are plenty of preventive

measures that can be taken to ensure an unwanted pregnancy does not occur. This makes the

need for abortion an unnecessary one. There are also an abundance of unethical factors involved

that go against the law which also makes it hypocritical against other laws and constitutions.

Ultimately in the end, those who have undergone an abortion still face a difficult aftermath. Why

should something that causes a woman to feel deep regret as well as mental and physical side

effects continue to be legal? For the best interest of not just women, but society as a whole,

abortion should continue and remain illegal.

[1] "Contraceptive Methods." Sexualityandu.ca - Your Link to Sexual Well-Being. Society of Gynacologist of Canada, 2009. Web. 10 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.sexualityandu.ca/teens/contraception-2.aspx>.

[2] Mosher WD and Jones J, Use of contraception in the United States: 1982–2008, Vital and Health Statistics, 2010, Series 23, No. 29.
[3] Mosher WD and Jones J, Use of contraception in the United States: 1982–2008, Vital and Health Statistics, 2010, Series 23, No. 29.
[4] U.S. Bureau of the Census, Table 2: annual estimates of the resident population by sex and selected age groups for the United States: April 1,
2000 to July 1, 2008, no date, <http://www.census.gov/popest/national/asrh/NC-EST2008/NC-EST2008-02.xls>, accessed November 10, 2010.
[5] Schmitt, Alexandra. "Birth Control Truths." Cosmopolitan Aug. 2009: 71-75. Magazine.

[6] U.S. Bureau of the Census, Table 2: annual estimates of the resident population by sex and selected age groups for the United States: April 1,
2000 to July 1, 2008, no date, <http://www.census.gov/popest/national/asrh/NC-EST2008/NC-EST2008-02.xls>, accessed November 10, 2010.
[7] Frost JJ, Trends in US women’s use of sexual and reproductive health care services, 1995–2002, American Journal of Public Health, 2008,
98(10):1814–1817.
[8] Checkland, David and James Wong (1999). Teen Pregnancy and Parenting: Social and Ethical Issues. Toronto, Canada; Buffalo, NY:
University of Toronto Press.
[9] Rhode, Deborah L. (2007). "Politics and Pregnancy: Adolescent Mothers and Public Policy". In Nancy Ehrenreich. The Reproductive Rights
Reader. New York, NY: New York University Press.
Dubner, Stephen J. "Dangers of Safety." Freakonomics Radio. ITunes Podcast. New York, New York, 2 Feb. 2010. Radio. [10]

[11] Multiple, Authors. World Health Organization: 60 Years : Our Health Our Future. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2008.
[12] Locke, Peter. Parenting Today. Streamwood, IL: Poplar Creek Public Library, 2006. Print.
 [13] "The Right to Choose: Fathers and Abortions." Associated Content from Yahoo! Yahoo!, May 2010. Web. 09 Nov.
2010.<http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/336591/the_right_to_choose_fathers_and_abortions.html>.

[14] "The Right to Choose: Fathers and Abortions." Associated Content from Yahoo! Yahoo!, May 2010. Web. 09 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/336591/the_right_to_choose_fathers_and_abortions.html>.

[15] "AbortionInCanada.ca .:. Methods of Abortion." AbortionInCanada. Crisis Pregnancy Help Line, 2010. Web. 5 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.abortionincanada.ca/methods/index.html>.

[16] "Origin of Life-The Definition of Life." Life in the Universe. European Space Agency. Web. 12 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.lifeinuniverse.org/Lifedefinition-04-01.html>.

[17] Webster, Merriam. "Living." Webster's English Dictionary. 2010. Print.

[18] "The Right to Choose: Fathers and Abortions." Associated Content from Yahoo! Yahoo!, May 2010. Web. 09 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/336591/the_right_to_choose_fathers_and_abortions.html>.

[19] "The Right to Choose: Fathers and Abortions." Associated Content from Yahoo! Yahoo!, May 2010. Web. 09 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/336591/the_right_to_choose_fathers_and_abortions.html>.

[20] "Abortion Statistics." AbortionNO.org / The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform. The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, 2009. Web. 02 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.abortionno.org/Resources/fastfacts.html>.

[21] "Abortion Statistics." AbortionNO.org / The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform. The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, 2009. Web. 02 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.abortionno.org/Resources/fastfacts.html>.

[22] Cohen, Susan A. "Facts and Consequences: Legality, Incidence and Safety of Abortion Worldwide." Guttmacher Institute: Home Page.
Guttmacher Institute, Oct. 2009. Web. 02 Nov. 2010. <http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/gpr/12/4/gpr120402.html>.

[23] "The Right to Choose: Fathers and Abortions." Associated Content from Yahoo! Yahoo!, May 2010. Web. 09 Nov. 2010.
<http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/336591/the_right_to_choose_fathers_and_abortions.html>.

[24] Center for Addiciton and Mental Health. Depression. Toronto: Center for Addiciton and Mental Health, 2009. Print.