If mothers cannot be trusted with the choice to abort or not, how can they be trusted to raise children at all?
In a free society, abortion is a matter of personal belief, and if this were to be hindered, we would be under a dictatorship. Why send grown men, who have more value in the world than yet-to-be-born fetuses, to war and almost inevitable death when you would protect fetuses, who as of yet have no responsibilities in the world.
People would argue that many abortions are dangerous, and would claim that some have culminated in the death of the mother herself too. Despite this, many studies including one at the University of Copenhagen conclude that there is no damage to the woman’s sexual organs in a proper abortion. They would also argue, that because the world is already laden with women who have grown up in a culture accepting and even promoting abortion, that a total ban on abortion would lead to a massive increase in illegal, back alley style abortions, which would be far more dangerous, and much more likely to damage the mother’s health than the safe, qualified abortions provided by the NHS. Back alley abortionists would rarely take regard for how dangerous it would be to abort a fetus, regardless of how far along the mother is and any other conditions she has.
Abortion allows women to have sex comfortably, without need for irritating contraceptives, and without worry. No woman wants an abortion, it is merely the best alternative available – many women are unable to have safe births, and pregnancy/birth in many would cause fury, outcry in many communities, as well as leading the baby to be neglected.
No one argues for the sanctity of life in animal fetuses and acorns, for example, which suggest humans, are treated as a separate collective entity. Different rules apply to humans than those which apply to other animals – we are different.
Some people would use the argument that fetus’ can’t think, and therefore have no rights – despite this, is it right to destroy one who can’t even voice their own arguments. Also, animal abuse, suicide, and even cutting down trees are illegal, on the basis that they are things of value – despite different levels of consciousness. If killing any species with significant value, why should abortion be any different?
Many scientists would also argue that fetuses are conscious in the womb, and that they do suffer too.
Despite women deserving the choice of abortion, this does not override the right to life. A woman’s rights are not the only ones that need to be respected. All beings deserve the right to life, and fetuses, who are conscious, deserve this. Even if one regards them as lacking consciousness, we treat trees, and plants with far more respect than many treat fetuses.
Abortion devalues the respect and dignity we reserve for human life. Abortion encourages infanticide – if a fetus in its 36th week does not count as a human life, then why does a human baby just one day later?
Back alley, illegal abortions are extremely dangerous, and no matter the openness about abortion in society, there will always be some women, who feel guilt, or embarrassment who will go down this route. Even the normal state service of abortion is dangerous, and the risks involved are extremely ‘underrated in its potential hazard’ (Warren Hern, author of the most used abortion practitioner text book in the USA). Aside from the physical dangers of abortion, it leaves one emotionally scarred, and according to many studies, most women rarely undertake a second abortion – the difficulty, and mental hardship of abortion is too difficult for many to undergo a second time, preferring more responsible sex.
Abortion advocates ‘quality of life’ over the ‘sanctity of life’, devaluing reproduction of the human race, and the value we play on our lives. We may as well decide to smoke, drink and take drugs continuously due to the temporary rush of enjoyment they may produce, despite the lasting after effects which leave families and communities scarred.
Abortion also devalues the parent-child relationship – if one sees the fetus as expendable, then surely any existing children would feel the same way! Raising children should be a beautiful, enjoyable process rather than the depiction of difficulty that abortion implies.
Muslim beliefs would indicate that abortion is only acceptable when the family is unable to support another child, in cases of rape, and when a baby would prove to be a risk to the mother’s health. I would agree mostly with this too; I disagree with the idea that abortion should be there as a back up after irresponsible sex.
