Unit 3 - Abortion Flashcards
What is the definition(s) of Abortion?
‘The act of deliberately ending a pregnancy before normal childbirth, killing the foetus in the process.’
Another important definition is viability as this refers to the time when a foetus can survive outside the womb.
Why would a woman want to have an abortion?
(1-4)
~Mental health:
May already have a condition like depression and anxiety and worry about the effect of raising a baby.
~Physical health:
May already have a pre-existing condition and worry about the effects of giving birth / raising a child.
~Damage family life:
Eg may not have the space to add another member to the family or there may be cases in which she has been told that the child will have a severe disability.
~Not able to provide:
Already an existing member of the family who requires attention so they may not be able to provide for an additional member to the family.
Why would a woman want to have an Abortion?
5-7
~Career:
Careers can be affected if they go on maternity leave or do not have the same time to invest in their work.
~Financial Problems:
Would damage their financial prospects when they want to spend money on other things or simply do not have the money to care for a child.
~ Life plans:
Eg she may want to travel the world and this is not possible with the responsibility of a child.
Pro Life vs Pro Choice
People who argue strongly that abortions should not be legalised are known as pro-life. This means that they believe it is wrong to take life and will choose to side with those who will protect the unborn child.
Others take a strong stance that women should have the choice in whether to abort or give birth to a chance, they are known as pro-choice. This doesn’t mean that they think abortion should happen but rather women are empowered to make a decision that is right for them.
Pro Life Arguments
1-5
> All life is equal even that of a foetus or embryo -> when the egg has been fertilized it has its own right to life.
It is believed that the foetus has its separate identity to the mother and she cannot choose to get rid of it like a part of her body.
Abortion is killing the foetus which is an innocent human being and therefore the process of abortion is likened to murder.
Doctors take an oath called the ‘Hippocratic Oath’ which states that ‘I will maintain the utmost respect for human life, from the time of conception.’ Therefore it is not right for medical staff to take life when they have vowed to protect it.
Abortion can damage the long term physical and emotional health of the mother.
Pro Life Arguments
6-9
> Humans are not allowed to do whatever they want with their body and there are rules as to how you treat others. It is argued these laws should apply for the unborn foetus.
Whilst there can be difficult circumstances that mothers can face they can receive support but they cannot deliberately take a human life. Perhaps more support could be provided for mothers who are caring for children in difficult circumstances if money was not provided for abortion clinics.
Other women ridicule those who would choose an abortion particularly if they were unable to have a child and wanted to have this blessing.
Many people who argue for pro-life also believe that the woman should take responsibility for her actions and that if she has become pregnant she cannot undo that choice.
Examples of Pro Life Groups
Examples of Pro-Life groups that try to influence others with pro-life viewpoints are the society for the Protection of Unborn children (SPUC), life and Precious Life.
Pro Choice Arguments
1-4
> An embryo is a cluster of cells and not an actual human being.
The woman should be regarded as a person and not just a container for the foetus.
If women are to have equality with men they should have the right to an abortion so they can walk away from raising a child like men can do.
If we don’t legalise abortion then dangerous and illegal back street abortions may take place.
Pro Choice Arguments
5-7
> Pro-choice campaigners also believe that they can refute many of the Pro-life arguments. Eg with the argument that women need to take responsibility for their actions they believe that in some cases abortion is the consequence to their actions.
Viability - Some believe that if the child cannot survive outside the womb and is reliant on the mother for survival then her rights exceed that of the foetus.
There are numerous difficult circumstances that women may face and that it is only right they should have the right to choose in regards to abortion.
Examples of Pro Choice groups
Examples of Pro-Choice Groups that argue intentional abortion is acceptable are the National Abortion Campaign (NAC) and the Abortion Law Reform Association (ALRA) .
The law regarding abortion
Eng, Sct, Wales (1/2)
In England, Scotland and Wales Abortion is allowed if certain conditions are met. The Act that regulates Abortion in these countries is the Abortion Act of 1967. This was updated in 1990 with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act.
The conditions that allow Abortion on demand are:
1. If there is a risk to the life of the pregnant woman
2. If there is a physical or mental health issue that affects the pregnant woman or any existing children of her family.
3. If the foetus when it is born will suffer from physical or mental abnormalities thought to be a severe handicap.
In the Republic of Ireland abortions are illegal and in Northern Ireland abortions can only be obtained if the woman’s life is at risk or in extreme cases of abnormality. In 2012 an Abortion clinic was opened in Belfast but it is maintained that it continues to operate under the existing legal framework. In this clinic Abortions are only carried out for the already existing reasons up until the ninth week of pregnancy.
The law regarding abortion
Eng, Sct, Wales (2/2)
Abortions may be carried out until the 24th week of pregnancy. 1967 Act originally outlined 28 weeks but was lowered to 24 weeks in 1990. There was a debate in 2007 in the House of Commons regarding lowering the time limit for Abortion further but this was defeated. There are many abortions that are carried out in Britain. For example in 2007 alone there were 198,500 abortions in England and Wales.
The law regarding abortion
Republic of Ireland
Are illegal in Ireland // in Northern Ireland abortions can only be obtained if the woman’s life is at risk or in extreme cases of abnormality.
In 2012 an Abortion clinic was opened in Belfast but it is maintained that it continues to operate under the existing legal framework. In this clinic Abortions are only carried out for the already existing reasons up until the ninth week of pregnancy.
Christian response to abortion
1/2
Ancient views leading to the rise of Christianity:
Historically before the time of Jesus, abortion was already commonplace for getting rid of unwanted children. It seems that similarly to today, some people were outspoken in favoring Abortion with others condemning the practice. Several Greek Philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle were outspoken with their views that Abortion was acceptable.
Christian response to abortion
2/2
Most Christians would maintain the viewpoint that abortion is unacceptable and quote various Old & New Testament passages to support this view. Other Christians would condemn Abortion on demand but allow the choice in extreme circumstances.
Some of these verses are:
1. Genesis 1:27 ‘God created humans to be in his image
2. Psalm 22:9 ‘Yet you took from the womb and made me trust you (King David)
3. Psalm 139:13 ‘you knitted me together in my mother’s womb’ (King David)
4. Jeremiah 1v5 ‘Before you were born I knew you’
5. Luke 1:41 ‘And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb!’
6. Galatians 1:15 ‘I was set apart before i was born’ (The Apostle Paul)
