A new study shows that abortion rates around the world have dropped from around 42 million in 1996 to just about 42 million in 2003. The report, released by the Guttmacher Institute, states that the reason that most abortions are down is due in part to the option of contraception being utilized more frequently by women and their partners.
However, the same study states that although abortions are dropping in frequency, the mortality rates for women who do go undergo abortions — primarily in countries where the procedure is illegal — are still dying at alarming rates. The current figure states that almost 70,000 women a year succumb to abortion complications and die shortly thereafter.
The report also relates some striking information, which, I suppose only makes sense if you really take the time to consider it: the more abortion is outlawed, the higher the risk is that a woman will go to extreme measures in order to have an abortion served to her, whether by her own hand or by undereducated individuals in unsafe settings. The Guttmacher report states that “total abortions occurred at roughly equal rates” in countries where they were legal and where they were highly restricted as well, which does clearly prompt women to go to extreme measures and throw all caution to the wind.
However, not all groups are completely jiving with what the Institute is reporting. Several religious-based groups are stating that any legalization of abortion will only result in more abortions, rather than cutting down on women who are not surviving them.
Despite the fact that I am a self-proclaimed “pro-lifer,” I do think that having such restrictions on abortions, especially in certain areas, could obviously be a severe detriment to women as a whole. The approximation of 70,000 women a year (and I highly doubt that it’s as low as that, if you truly think about it) dying due to botched abortions done in shady clinics or home-based abortions is totally frightening.
Do I feel that abortion is the best form of contraception? No way. Would I, personally, ever have an abortion under any circumstances? No way, doubly. Do I think abortion should be nationally legalized? I’m not even opening that can of worms today; I’m merely saying that pro-life extremists should also factor in the women who lie bleeding to death on a dirty gurney in a darkened room to have some of the same courtesies that patients of more “legal” procedures would.
After all, pro-life is pro-ALL life, no?
Your stats have the rate dropping from 42mill to 42mill.
Doh! Thanks for that catch. It should read: “46 million to 42 million”, approximately, of course. Thanks again!
change it in the article because those numbers almost kept me from reading any further. aside from that i really enjoyed this article!
This is the most intelligent post I’ve read regarding abortion on this site.
At least people are using birth control more these days. It’s just silly not to, unless you are actually trying to get pregnant, of course.
“I do think that having such restrictions on abortions, especially in certain areas, could obviously be a severe detriment to women as a whole.”
I just don’t know. Every time I read a piece from you, I’m just like…. she is pro-choice and confuses me. I just don’t get it.
The report also relates some striking information, which, I suppose only makes sense if you really take the time to consider it: the more abortion is outlawed, the higher the risk is that a woman will go to extreme measures in order to have an abortion served to her, whether by her own hand or by undereducated individuals in unsafe settings.
This is striking? You’ve never heard this before? Really?
YES! this es EXACTLY my point of view on the subject! thanks!
anti-choice people tend to think on neat families when they speak of not legalising abortion, etc. They dont consider that most abortions are extremely risky to the health of the mother, and that women are pressed by society to carry them out (the risks of being pregnant are far worse…)
Pro life people really don’t think about abortion realistically, they just think what they want too, I mean in their minds the fetus is a little baby curled up inside being adorable, sucking it’s thumb, rocking itself to sleep to the music of it’s mothers heart beat, smiling, and kicking and full of love, hell the thing might as well be tap dancing around the womb.
People need be be educated about these kinds of things at a young age so incorrect overemotional assumptions are not made, stop this love affair with the fetus and lets start helping the people who are already here, not the people on the way.
This world could be so much better if people would just get their freaking priorities in order and realize that their exact ideals are unachievable and if any kind of peace is to be achieved we have to modify our behavior to reality.
Thank you for YOUR post and I completely agree that the pro lifers do need to get over their love affairs with a fetus -the adorable thumb sucking one living inside the womb and start thinking realistically what abortion really means to women who need one…..
Of course nobody wants women to use an abortion as contraception but the proceedure must remain private,legal and a decision between a woman and her physician.
I once heard an evangeical pastor of all people make the most sensible comment in that he said that “prolifers donot care about the fetus once its born”!
Women will always have abortions-dont force them to risk their lives with a ‘backstreet’ ( as they used to be called)proceedure…