Why Women Choose Abortion

[cynatnite]

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Their new research suggests a not-insignificant percentage of abortion-seeking women are in the midst of a disruptive life event, such as job loss, relationship breakdown or lack of funds for rent/mortgage payments around the time they made their abortion decision.

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Regardless of poverty, the researchers found the fallout from one disruptive event could set a woman up for other life stressors, some of which led to an unintended pregnancy.

For instance, during the in-depth interviews, a married woman considered poor described the difficulty she had leaving an abusive partner after her mother died: "I mean, I was actually seeing a counselor for depression. I was put on antidepressants and anxiety medications, and it just – I should have left before, and I just didn't. I mean, through therapy, through everything, I know I should have left sooner and, you know, my mom got sick all of a sudden [and subsequently died], and all this happened, so I just didn't get out when I should have."

Another married, poor woman noted: "I have two babies, so I have an 18-month and a 6-month old ... so I can't have another one right now. ... I just know I am not strong enough for it; some women are stronger than others. I am just not strong enough to take care of three kids. ... they both cry at the same time, and I am sick [from this pregnancy]. Oh no; I can't do it, I am sorry."

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The researchers say the study results have political implications, for instance, suggesting easier access to birth control could help to prevent some unintended pregnancies. They point to free birth control, the availability of getting multiple refills at once and over-the-counter availability as potential solutions.

http://news.yahoo.com/why-women-choose-abortion-225111071.html?_esi=1

This says what we all know. More details at the link.

[JDPriestly]

1. I wonder what portion of abortions are related to health issues in the mother or baby.

The article ignores that. I think it is a factor, maybe larger than suspected. Certainly large enough to justify tracking it.

[hamsterjill]

2. While I understand the concept of this article, I don't like the tone of it.

For me, we must insist that "choice" be a private matter. I will NOT go down the Republican road of asking women to justify why they choose abortion.

There may be circumstances where a disruptive life event comes into play when a woman seeks an abortion, -OR- it may be that a woman simply decides to end a pregnancy for any number of reasons. Her reasons should be between her, her health care provider and anyone that the woman chooses to bring into her inner circle for advise or counsel.

Whatever the circumstance, no woman should ever be asked to justify her decision.

[cynatnite]

3. I got from the article something entirely different...

This was a study showing factors that could compel women to opt to have an abortion they probably wouldn't have had otherwise were it not for problems like poverty, abuse, limited access to contraception and more.

This was about preventing unwanted pregnancies in the first place. These things have to be studied in order to do a better job in helping women.

[redqueen]

4. I agree.

Poverty, lack of healthcare, access to contraception, etc. are all separate issues. Solve them by all means.

Leave choice alone and out of it.

[LadyHawkAZ]

5. Agree

There is only ever one reason for abortion, and it is "none of your business".