Abortion: A Choice Between Rights and Responsibilities
- Aliah Avenue
- Oct 1, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 11, 2024
Like many other forms of life, a human life begins when the fetus develops a heartbeat. The heartbeat is a powerful indicator of life, symbolizing the presence of a living being with the potential for growth. This viewpoint often comes from moral, ethical, or religious beliefs, where the heartbeat represents the beginning of individual human life.
Sometimes, during volunteering, I remember what one of the sisters from a charity home said when she told us about an aborted fetus found in a garbage can. She said: When a woman has an abortion, you are taking away the potential of that unborn child, who could have grown up to be someone extraordinary. Who knows if that child might have become the best president the country has ever seen or the one to discover a groundbreaking innovation that could change the world? The possibilities are endless, and by choosing to end that potential life, you are denying that child the chance to exist and contribute to society in ways we can only imagine. Each life carries the possibility of greatness, and the decision to have an abortion means closing the door on all that potential. Given the current discussions around abortion, I would like to share my thoughts on this important topic…
A reproductive organ is any part of an organism that plays a role in the process of reproduction which means “to reproduce” that refers to the action of reproducing offspring – to generate or continue the cycle of life.
Each reproductive organ plays a specific role in producing, these organs work together to enable reproduction. When engaging in sexual interaction, it’s important to be aware of the possibility of conceiving a child. Sexual intercourse is inherently tied to reproduction, and despite the availability of contraception, no method is 100% effective. Engaging in sex naturally leads to the possibility of conception and the development of another human being as these organs are vital with their primary purpose being the creation of life.
Choosing abortion afterward can appear to be an effort to escape the natural consequences of their actions rather than making responsible choices beforehand. It raises the question of why they would engage in sexual activity when the primary biological function of sex is reproduction.
Suppose a person knows they are not ready for the responsibilities of parenthood or is not prepared for this potential outcome, why take that risk in the first place? This biological function is not just about physical pleasure; it carries profound implications for responsibility and the potential for life. Ignoring this reality can seem like a disregard for common sense when individuals should be fully aware that the use of these organs is tied to the creation of life or the possibility of pregnancy. This highlights the need for greater awareness regarding the responsibilities that come with sexual activity and the importance of making informed decisions ahead of time rather than resorting to extreme measures after the fact and encouraging individuals to consider the serious consequences of their actions in matters of sexual activity and reproduction.
Easy access to abortion can create an environment where people may feel less accountable for their actions, encouraging irresponsible behavior. When individuals are aware of the possible consequences of sex — such as pregnancy — but choose to engage in it without adequate preparation or responsibility, they may view abortion as an easy way out. Instead of considering the gravity of creating life, they might see abortion as a quick solution to avoid facing the responsibilities of parenthood.
This mindset not only disregards the potential life of the unborn child, who is innocent in this situation but also diminishes the seriousness of making thoughtful, responsible choices before engaging in sexual activity. The ease of access to abortion can, in some cases, weaken the sense of responsibility, leading to a culture where short-term decisions are prioritized over long-term consequences...
Abortion is often seen as a tragic outcome, not due to any fault of the unborn child, but because it represents the ending of a potential life — the life of an innocent child in the womb who had no say in their conception. The child has no control over its development or conception; it is simply the result of natural biological processes. Ultimately, the child becomes a casualty of the decisions made by adults. The child is not responsible for the circumstances of its conception, yet it suffers the ultimate consequence of those decisions. This makes abortion an act of injustice, as it involves taking the life of a developing human who had no control over the choices that led to their existence. It highlights adults' profound moral responsibility when engaging in activities that naturally lead to reproduction. The innocent child should not have to pay with their life for the actions of their parents, especially when the decision to create that life was made by people who understood the potential consequences beforehand.
Pro-choice advocates often emphasize the importance of bodily autonomy and the right of women to make decisions about their own health and futures. However, this perspective can overlook the complex emotional and physical risks associated with abortion.
A strictly pro-choice position may unintentionally place more emphasis on access than on the complex realities many women face, possibly ignoring the necessity for comprehensive support systems and well-informed choices that consider both immediate needs and long-term effects on a woman’s well-being.
Abortion, like any medical procedure, carries certain risks for women. These can include physical complications such as severe bleeding, infection, or injury to the reproductive organs, particularly in less safe or later-term procedures. In rare cases, complications can lead to difficulties with future pregnancies, including an increased risk of miscarriage or preterm birth. In the short term, women may face excessive bleeding, injury to the uterus or other organs, and infection. Repeated abortions may also increase the risk of long-term reproductive issues, such as cervical damage or weakened uterine lining, which could affect future pregnancies.
Emotionally, some women may experience feelings of guilt, regret, or depression, especially if their decision is not fully supported. Stress and anxiety can also follow an abortion, particularly for those facing social, cultural, or personal pressures. Long-term psychological effects can vary, with some women feeling relief while others may struggle with guilt or regret. It is important to seek guidance for possible physical and also emotional consequences before making a decision.
Abortion should be limited to situations involving truly compelling reasons where the circumstances of conception were beyond the individual's control and the decision to abort is made out of necessity, not convenience.
When it is a deeply traumatic and complex situation where carrying a pregnancy to term may be emotionally or physically unbearable, poses a significant risk to the mother’s life, or in situations involving severe medical conditions where continuing the pregnancy would result in extreme suffering for the child or mother where there is a legitimate and grave reason to make such a difficult choice. It should not be a convenient option for those who choose to engage in sex, knowing full awareness of the potential consequences, but are now seeking to avoid the responsibility that comes with it. In these cases, where the decision to have sex was made voluntarily, the responsibility for that decision should be recognized.
Abortion should not serve as an escape from the consequences of choices freely made. The unborn child should not bear the cost of adult decisions. Society should advocate responsible decision-making before conception, rather than offering abortion as an escape route for poor planning or careless actions.
Promote taking responsibility for their own actions. Recognizing that creating life is a serious matter, and the unborn child should not be sacrificed simply to avoid the responsibilities of parenthood. Easy access to abortion in such instances undermines personal responsibility and the value of #human life, reducing it to a matter of convenience rather than a serious, thoughtful decision about life and death.
References:
Wisconsin First Offense OWI Laws & Penalties.
Let's leave the big questions in God's hands - Anglican Journal. https://anglicanjournal.com/lets-leave-the-big-questions-in-gods-hands-2423/
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