Abortion

Why does it exist?

This is more of a rhetorical question.  I do know the answer to this.  But is there a legitimate answer?

This topic is something that is really huge.  Since I first learned about it, I've always been against it.  I suppose that last year, though, was when I really decided to actually start learning more.  Last year, in civics class, I decided to run for president.  I did it without thinking.  I knew that I would never become president because I'm not good at arguing and politics really isn't my thing (though I do enjoy it).  But before I knew it, I had gone to the white board and written my name down along with the other candidates.  Oh, how I regretted my decision.  But I ran for president anyway.

I remember studying various issues in civics.  Of all the things we studied - assisted suicide, welfare, etc. - abortion is the one I was the most passionate about.  I was positive that I would be able to counter every argument because I just knew it was wrong.
And yet I couldn't.
I think the biggest argument that came up was, "But what about in cases of rape and incest?".  That was the hardest.  I can't exactly remember what I said when I was standing up there, trying to answer that, because it was a good point.  What happens when a woman is the victim of such an awful crime and she becomes pregnant because of it?  What if she doesn't want the baby?
I am going to address some arguments that I have heard.  I will also be more than happy to debate with anyone on this topic, though I will not do it on this blog, on Facebook, etc.

Argument: Abortion is a simple procedure that merely removes the fetus/embryo from the woman's body.
Answer: It is not as simple as one would think.  If abortion is a simple procedure, then it surely wouldn't hurt anyone to watch a video of it, right?  Or see pictures of the baby after the abortion?  I have seen too many photos to count of babies after abortions and part of a video of an abortion (I couldn't take much more and I just stopped watching it).  If this is a simple procedure, would you be able to watch it?

Argument: It's just a bunch of tissue.
Answer: Tissue does not have a heartbeat, unique DNA, brain waves, etc.

Argument: Abortions are safe.
Answer: They are not safe.  Many women have experienced mental and physical problems.  Consider these statistics:

• Every year in the U.S., 11% (about 140,000 women) of women experience complications immediately.  These include infections, hemorrhaging, and even worse medical problems.
• In the twelve months after an abortion, women have a death rate that's four times greater than what that of the women who decide not to have an abortion and continue their pregnancies.
• Some women who have had abortions in the past have complications when they actually try to get pregnant again.  This includes premature births and ectopic pregnancies.
• When a woman has an abortion, the risk of getting breast cancer is increased.
• A study done in New Zealand revealed that women who had abortions had mental health problems that were 30% higher than that of a normal woman.  Additionally, another study (also from New Zealand) showed that 78% of girls that were 15-18 experienced major depression.  The study also showed that it was 43% higher than girls who were pregnant but chose to keep the baby.
• A 1994 survey showed that women who went through counseling after abortions had problems like insomnia, resorting to drugs and/or alcohol, and eating disorders.  These all happened after the abortion.
• Many women have had infertility problems after an abortion.

Is it really worth it?

Argument: It's an unwanted child and shouldn't have to go through the pain of being unwanted as a child.

Answer: The child is not unwanted.  The mother may not want him/her, but there are plenty of people who would love to adopt the child.

Argument: What if it's deformed/disabled?

Answer: No one is perfect.  About six years ago, my mother was pregnant with my little sister.  The doctors told my mom that my sister had Downs syndrome and encouraged her to go through with an abortion.  My mother, of course, refused.  First of all, we all love my sister and we would never, ever do an abortion just because she had Downs.  That's discrimination - wouldn't the abortion of a child who's disabled be the same as saying that any disabled child should be killed?  If disabled children were killed in the womb, it wouldn't make a difference if we went right ahead and killed disabled children who have been born.

Want to know something else?  My sister was born without any "deformities" whatsoever.  These trained professionals were completely wrong.

Argument: What about rape/incest?

Answer: This is the argument that I had so much trouble with before.  This is my answer: would an abortion really erase the effects of what happened?  The wounds, both mental and physical, are still there.  Abortion can only get rid of the baby.  It can't get rid of the crime itself.  Also, in a study done by Dr. Sandra Mahkorn, it was discovered that 75-85% of rape/incest victims don't even want an abortion!  I don't think rape/incest can ever justify abortion.

I would also like to say this: the plaintiff of the famous Roe v. Wade case, Jane Roe (a pseudonym - her real name is Norma McCorvey) is now pro-life.  Isn't that a bit ironic?  Also, not all abortions are successful.  The first abortion survivor I heard of was Gianna Jessen, whose mother had gone into have an abortion when she was just 17.  She had a saline injection, which was supposed to burn the child.  Instead, Tina (her mother) gave birth to her.  She eventually gave Gianna up for adoption.

Obviously, I only covered some of the many arguments that are out there.  There are plenty more pro-abortion arguments.  But these are my views and answers to some of the arguments I've heard the most.

Sources

She's a Child, Not a "Choice".  Arvada, CO: Personhood USA, 2010.  Print.

"Roe V Wade - Norma McCorvey."  N.p., 26 Oct 2004.  Web.  5 Nov 2011.  <http://www.excerptsofinri.com/roe_v_wade.html>.

White, Amy.  "Abortion Survivor Gianna Jessen."  N.p., n.d.  Web.  5 Nov 2011.  <http://www.blessedcause.org/aborticide/survivor.htm>.

Shaver, Jessica.  Gianna.  1st ed.  1998.  Print.