Arguments Against Elective Abortion

Abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy when there are no serious health risks has been a controversial topic for quite some time. The main argument against elective abortion is that it infringes upon the fetus’s right to life. As well, opponents state that it dismisses any potential future the fetus may have had as a human being and therefore takes away from society by depriving it of a potential successful member of society. However, these arguments can be dismissed when considering the negative aspects of an unwanted pregnancy. Issues such as parents that did not want a child or parents that are unable or unwilling to provide for a child are some cases where an abortion would be a better option than seeing a pregnancy through. Raising …show more content…
The argument calls abortion immoral because it destroys a living being merely to spare another’s way of life. A great example of this is a very busy family that experiences an unplanned pregnancy. The time required by an infant may necessitate taking time off work and thus taking in less money, and the significance of this is that with less money coming in for a family, the family must reduce spending and adjust their lifestyle in certain way. Opponents of abortion say that the family should respond to whatever consequences come from birthing a child as an act of responsibility and are not permitted to perform an abortion unless a life is at risk. However, families may not find it very convenient at all to adapt or may not be able to adapt at all. Some families might be forced to move, change jobs, work more hours, or partake in other different ways to adapt to a new child. Other families might find themselves struggling to make enough money to survive. This is a case where an abortion might spare the family from such consequences of change. An abortion would prevent an unplanned pregnancy from coming to fruition and allow a family to continue on their way unaffected, possibly even allowing them to try for a child when they are more prepared. Jane English poses a great example of this in which …show more content…
This in effect spares children from less than ideal living and emotional conditions and allows children to be properly born to families that are ready to provide for them. Children should be brought up in proper circumstances so that the child has the best chances of becoming successful and productive in society. To give a child otherwise is to give a disservice to the child which is impermissible. Knowing whether a family should terminate an unplanned pregnancy is definitely one way of showing responsibility for both the child and for their actions. As for women’s right to privacy and control over their body, the ability to terminate their pregnancy as they deem necessary allows them the necessary autonomy and responsibility for themselves they should have. From a legal standpoint, abortion is also legally protected as set by the precedent in Roe v. Wade. With legal protection, progression of women’s rights, ability for a family to responsibly deal with an unplanned pregnancy in an effective manner, and sparing of children from less than ideal circumstances, abortion is not immoral like opponents say; rather it is beneficial to society and families, as well as the wellbeing of children