THE EFFECTS OF ABORTION PHILOSOPHY ESSAY

2143 WORDS

Unwanted pregnancy represents a major cost of sexual activity. It is predicted that abortion legalization generated incentives leading to an increase in sexual activity, accompanied by an increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Using Centers for Disease Control data on the incidence of gonorrhea and syphilis by state, we test the hypothesis that abortion legalization led to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases. We found that gonorrhea and syphilis incidences are signi¬cantly and positively correlated with abortion legalization. In fact, the stress experienced by women who get abortions may stem not from the procedure itself but from the simple fact that the pregnancy is unwanted.

In addition, the researchers found that women’s religious affiliation had no effect on whether they had abortions; devout Catholics were just as likely to abort as women belonging to religions more tolerant of the procedure. Nor did religion affect women’s long-term well-being after abortion, once education level, income, and initial self-esteem were taken into account. Effect of religion in abortion, By Lisa Tolin, published on July 01, 1997 – last reviewed on June 14, 2012

A significant number of patients suffer psychological complications as a consequence of abortion, and 10-20% experience severe depression. The risk factors for such psychological complications originate with abortions performed under pressure, eugenic abortions, or late abortions, and with cultural or religious hostility against abortion. The response to abortion consists of four phases: phase 1 is short and comprises the immediate reaction and alleviation that the pregnancy is over; phase 2 can last for