This article deals with the problem of abortion as a social phenomenon. Different views on the problem are analyzed and opposite positions (for and against abortion) are taken into consideration. Then the argument about the legalization of abortion is affirmatively concluded.
Nowadays, the problem of abortion, and, consequently, the problem of antiabortion become vitally important particularly for well-developed, post-industrial societies. It is evident that it is not a problem of an individual anymore but a really social problem because it concerns not only the health of a woman but it also produces a serious impact on a demographic situation in the whole country and on a psychological atmosphere in the society at large and within the family in particular. Traditionally, abortion was the point of serious arguments for and against this phenomenon in the majority of societies. As a rule, a significant part of the society is against abortion but on certain conditions even conservatives agree that abortion may be necessary or even inevitable. Anyway, the society must be very careful resolving the problem weather to support or completely reject abortion ideas but at the same time women must have a choice and a chance for abortion.
First of all, it would be very important to refer to some statistic data which prove that abortion cannot be forbidden pointblank, particularly in well-developed countries. According to Henshaw and Van Vort, only in the USA, among 6.2 million pregnancies that occur each year, 1.6 million end in abortion, it gives an abortion ratio of 347.8 abortions per 1000 live births (1992) . The data may vary depending on the country and its level of development but still the numbers are very impressive. Also it has to be taken into consideration that women in despair may commit desperate acts which may have fatal results that is a serious argument in favor of abortion.
But it is necessary to underline that abortion is not the problem of women only it is the problem of the whole society. To prove this statement it will be enough to mention that over 1000 violent attacks on abortion clinics and doctors were committed from 1977 to 1991 and a lot of attacks remained unreported (Grimes, 1991) . So, it means that definite social groups are ready to defend their antiabortion belief even by the violation of law. Another evidence of social significance of the problem is the fact that in some communities in the USA, for example, Boulder, Colorado, women are legally protected from antiabortion protestors (Hern, 1991) . It is also noteworthy that only 12% of Americans are totally against abortion while others who are either pro or contra abortion can change their mind under certain circumstances such as the danger to woman's life, the pregnancy as the result of rape, etc. It means that the factors mentioned above may contribute to support pro-abortion ideas. It is really a strong argument in favor of abortion because if the pregnancy is unwanted it puts under a threat health, mental and physical of both a mother and a child. At the same time when the health of a woman is in danger and abortion is the only or in certain conditions the best way out for a woman's life then many would support abortion.
On the other hand, abortion may be a cause of health problems for women even despite the fact that the level of medical services may be very high. The danger increases if abortion is illegal, in such a case there is no guarantees for a woman that the operation would be run successfully and medical personal would be responsible for the results in such a degree as it is normally done when abortion is legal. A logical conclusion that may be done is the legalization of abortion that seems to be inevitable, particularly in well-developed countries.
At the same time, abortion may cause problems within families which are part of the society. The fact is that it is extremely important for a woman to have a supportive atmosphere from the part of the closest relatives, namely husband and parents. Specialists highly recommend taking the abortion decision by both partners that may make the family stronger while disagreement can lead to divorce. But it is also important that women cannot be forced to abortion as well. So the role of the family in taking the decision is not less important than the influence of the community or personal beliefs.
Taking into account all above mentioned, it is necessary to say that abortion, being a social phenomenon, has many opponents as well as supporters but only small part is radical enough and ready to deny the opposite point of view. The vast majority is ready to accept abortion though under certain conditions. It means that abortion has to be legalized but at the same time it should be strictly regulated in order not to harm the health of women or their children in cases when abortion may be evitable. Moreover, it is evident that a total forbidden of abortion is doomed to fail because the only result that the forbidden may have is the increasing of illegal abortions and greater risk for women's health.
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Nowadays, the problem of abortion, and, consequently, the problem of antiabortion become vitally important particularly for well-developed, post-industrial societies. It is evident that it is not a problem of an individual anymore but a really social problem because it concerns not only the health of a woman but it also produces a serious impact on a demographic situation in the whole country and on a psychological atmosphere in the society at large and within the family in particular. Traditionally, abortion was the point of serious arguments for and against this phenomenon in the majority of societies. As a rule, a significant part of the society is against abortion but on certain conditions even conservatives agree that abortion may be necessary or even inevitable. Anyway, the society must be very careful resolving the problem weather to support or completely reject abortion ideas but at the same time women must have a choice and a chance for abortion.
First of all, it would be very important to refer to some statistic data which prove that abortion cannot be forbidden pointblank, particularly in well-developed countries. According to Henshaw and Van Vort, only in the USA, among 6.2 million pregnancies that occur each year, 1.6 million end in abortion, it gives an abortion ratio of 347.8 abortions per 1000 live births (1992) . The data may vary depending on the country and its level of development but still the numbers are very impressive. Also it has to be taken into consideration that women in despair may commit desperate acts which may have fatal results that is a serious argument in favor of abortion.
But it is necessary to underline that abortion is not the problem of women only it is the problem of the whole society. To prove this statement it will be enough to mention that over 1000 violent attacks on abortion clinics and doctors were committed from 1977 to 1991 and a lot of attacks remained unreported (Grimes, 1991) . So, it means that definite social groups are ready to defend their antiabortion belief even by the violation of law. Another evidence of social significance of the problem is the fact that in some communities in the USA, for example, Boulder, Colorado, women are legally protected from antiabortion protestors (Hern, 1991) . It is also noteworthy that only 12% of Americans are totally against abortion while others who are either pro or contra abortion can change their mind under certain circumstances such as the danger to woman's life, the pregnancy as the result of rape, etc. It means that the factors mentioned above may contribute to support pro-abortion ideas. It is really a strong argument in favor of abortion because if the pregnancy is unwanted it puts under a threat health, mental and physical of both a mother and a child. At the same time when the health of a woman is in danger and abortion is the only or in certain conditions the best way out for a woman's life then many would support abortion.
On the other hand, abortion may be a cause of health problems for women even despite the fact that the level of medical services may be very high. The danger increases if abortion is illegal, in such a case there is no guarantees for a woman that the operation would be run successfully and medical personal would be responsible for the results in such a degree as it is normally done when abortion is legal. A logical conclusion that may be done is the legalization of abortion that seems to be inevitable, particularly in well-developed countries.
At the same time, abortion may cause problems within families which are part of the society. The fact is that it is extremely important for a woman to have a supportive atmosphere from the part of the closest relatives, namely husband and parents. Specialists highly recommend taking the abortion decision by both partners that may make the family stronger while disagreement can lead to divorce. But it is also important that women cannot be forced to abortion as well. So the role of the family in taking the decision is not less important than the influence of the community or personal beliefs.
Taking into account all above mentioned, it is necessary to say that abortion, being a social phenomenon, has many opponents as well as supporters but only small part is radical enough and ready to deny the opposite point of view. The vast majority is ready to accept abortion though under certain conditions. It means that abortion has to be legalized but at the same time it should be strictly regulated in order not to harm the health of women or their children in cases when abortion may be evitable. Moreover, it is evident that a total forbidden of abortion is doomed to fail because the only result that the forbidden may have is the increasing of illegal abortions and greater risk for women's health.
More relating abortion essay, Abortion essays
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