CHAPTER 7 – Abortion
7.1 What is an abortion?
7.2 I’ve read that abortion is a big issue in some countries. What is the real concern behind the fuss over abortion?
7.3 What happens in an abortion?
7.4 How safe is an abortion?
7.5 I think an abortion should be allowed if the parents do not want the baby. Every child should be a wanted child. We already read of so many unwanted and battered children in the newspapers.
7.6 If I were pregnant, I would want the right to choose. After all, it is my own body!
7.7 What if a girl is pregnant as a result of rape? Shouldn’t she go for an abortion?
7.8 If I gave birth to a handicapped child, he might live a very unhappy life. One day, he might even blame me for giving birth to him! Wouldn’t it be better to abort a handicapped baby?
7.9 We have all seen pictures of starving children in parts of Asia and Africa. Isn’t abortion justified in countries which are overpopulated, as a means of population control?
7.10 What if the mother’s life is in danger?
7.11 I still think that abortion is acceptable, at least under certain circumstances. For instance, looking after a physically or mentally handicapped person demands a lot of time, energy and money from his family. Wouldn’t it be better for all concerned if that handicapped baby is not born?
7.12 But what if a baby is badly deformed, and is not expected to live long after birth. Since the child will die anyway, isn’t abortion justified? Surely we shouldn’t be expected to spend a lot of money trying to save the baby when there is so little point to it.
7.13 My friend, who will be sitting for a major exam at the end of this year, has just told me that she is pregnant. Her parents don’t know about it yet, she’s feeling very scared, and I don’t know how to help her.
7.14 I went through an abortion at the age of seventeen, and have never been the same person since. From that dreadful day on, I have suffered much anguish. Can I ever hope to find peace?
Questions for Reflection (for Chapter 7)
Chapter 6 < Back / Next > Chapter 8
