Abortion is the process of destroying a human fetus while in the womb (Grimes, 2013). This topic is considered to be one of the most controversial issues globally (Grimes, 2013). The support or disapproval of this practice has a potential of eliciting mixed reactions since it involves human life. The United States Constitution legalized abortion in 1973. From this period, more than 50 million abortions have been procured (Dennis et al., 2009). In as much as this subject remains a highly controversial issue, abortions obtained by minors elicit an even higher degree of interest and involvement. Therefore, this paper will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of teenage of this practice and discuss personal views regarding abortion.
Those in support of teenage abortion argue that teenagers are in a position to make their decisions and, as such, they do not require parental consent to obtain an abortion. According to Somerville, teens develop consequential thinking at a tender age (Somerville, 2011). Thus, they have the capabilities to assess their actions. Therefore, they are well versed with the consequences of their decision while procuring an abortion. They are also in a position to make a risk-benefit analysis of having a child at a younger age. In addition to young parenting, these teenagers have concrete information concerning the implications and consequences of this practice and possible outcomes. Therefore, the decision made in regards to abortion is well informed. Moreover, supporters of this practice indicate that a broad majority of school curriculums include Sex Education. As such, teenagers are in a position to understand the context of sex and its possible results. Conversely, in case sex education is not available, undergoing an abortion by willed teenagers provide an opportunity for them to have another chance in getting it right in life. As is the norm in abortion clinics, counselors provide teens with sufficient information about their decisions concerning procuring an abortion. As a result, teenagers are furnished with the required information upon which they base their decisions. Therefore, if one chooses to proceed with the procedure, their personal decision ought to be respected. As such, this decision has to be taken as final even if there is no parental consent. However, as much as teenagers have developed the rationality to make decisions, they are still not in a position to raise a child since often they lack source income. In many instances, the father of the fetus typically abandons his responsibilities leaving the young and inexperienced mother to deal with the baby alone. Besides, teenagers in such positions often lack the resources such as a house to raise a child. Furthermore, they do not have social background knowledge required to provide a suitable environment for the child to develop healthy with appropriate behaviors.
On the other hand, some people disagree with the provision that allows teenagers to procure an abortion without informing their parents and securing parental consent to their decision. In this case, individuals cite the immaturity aspect existing in teens that prove that they are not in a position to make decisions on such weighty matters. To this instance, opponents indicate that teenagers are prone to making decisions base on their impulse. As such, they have heightened sensitivity in agreement with their social lives, reputation and the important responsibility of taking care of their child. To this regard, teenagers make decisions using the amygdala section of their brain, an area responsible for emotions as opposed to using their frontal cortex, a brain part associated with reasoning (Biggs, Gould & Foster, 2013). As fronted by the supporters of teenage abortion, the consideration of counseling and advice is not enough. In this case, such information should not replace parental intervention in such situations. While facing the decision of whether to keep a baby or not, teenagers are often in a desperate situation as they are under immense pressure from parents and society. In as much as counselors can provide objective information to aid in decision-making, parents are often in a better position to give proper and beneficial advice to their children since they have their children’s best interests at heart and in mind. Owing to the dangers resulting from the termination of pregnancy, parents are appropriate persons to advise their children accordingly. Since the young mother and father have to live with the consequences of their decision, having their parents involved in the situation can provide the right perspective about their future. In instances where parental involvement is considered in teenage pregnancy, the resulting psychological and physical challenges are lessened (Medoff, 2012). In the event, teenage mothers procure an abortion without their parent’s knowledge and in some instances consent, they are likely to develop feelings of regret, which in most cases may culminate to developing depression.
Conclusion
All in all, from the information presented above, abortion remains to be a contentious issue in the society. Proponents mostly base their reasoning on the premise of rational thinking based on the respective developmental stage in teenager’s life. However, this indication is not enough to support the decision to support teenage abortion. According to my personal view, I am not in support of teenagers procuring an abortion. In this case, other alternatives such as giving up the child for adoption are better compared to abortion as it saves the individuals concerned from guilt and regret that is likely to follow them later in life.
References
Biggs, A., Gould, H., & Foster, D. (2013). Understanding why women seek abortions in the US. BioMed Central.
Dennis, A., Henshaw, S., Joyce, T., Finer, L. & Blanchard, K. (2009). The impact of laws requiring parental involvement for abortion. Guttmacher Institute.
Grimes, D. (2013). Unsafe abortion: The silent scourge. Oxford Journals. Vol. 67, No. 1.
Medoff, M. (2012). Unintended pregnancies, restrictive abortion laws, and abortion demand. Hindawi Publishing Corporation.
Somerville, M. (2011). The pregnant minor: Contraception and abortion. The Journal of Law, Medicine, & Ethics. Vol. 8, No. 4.
