IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT IN

PHILOSOPHY 1A

Submitted to:
Mr. Bon Hamilton Rabaca

Submitted by:
Chelsie May M. Tudio

January 2016

ABORTION

INTRODUCTION
Abortion is one of the most controversial issue and there have been an
increasing number of abortion cases throughout the world. Abortion is a very
common practice by many people. It has been continually argued over the past few
years and probably many years to come. Abortions are so common that for every
four babies born alive there is one baby who dies because of abortion. The point of
this introduction is to wake us up and think again especially the women. It is usually
have a terrible side effect because of the way the abortion is done. Many of the
women who have abortions are never informed on the side effects that can occur
because of having the abortion. One of these side effects is uterine bleeding; this
bleeding can last for periods of up to a few weeks.
Abortion has a long history. In the past, it was done using crude or basic tools
such as sharpened tools, physical trauma and other traditional methods. But with
advancement in the field of medicine, contemporary methods are now used and the
medication and surgical procedures are now involved.
In our country it was said that the RH bill would open the possibility for legalizing
abortion in our country but other would say especially most of the Catholic Church
that the RH bill was unconstitutional.
As a Filipino, what is really our stand regarding the RH law and abortion? The
main controversy is should abortion be legalized here in our country? But before we
get into many sides of abortion, we must first define abortion because whether the
law is implemented or not, it is not a problem if our stand is clear and firmed and if
we are purely anti RH Law, we are free to continue what we believe is moral.

Discussion
Abortion is the premature death of an embryo or the fetus during the
development of pregnancy or it is an ending of pregnancy by removing a fetus or
embryo from the womb of the mother before it can survive on its own.
Rape has been a big reason why women should abort their baby. Many girls
would quickly abort to rid themselves of this psychological trauma because the
experience of being raped is too big a burden that the evidence of such an ordeal in
the form of a child would not be acceptable. Economic issues including poverty and
insufficient funding have promoted abortion. Many young mothers have opted to do
an abortion citing the inability to take care of the child once it is born. Usually such
young girls do not have an income to support themselves unborn child.
There are some complications of abortion and the most common is bleeding.
Bleeding is often the first sign that the abortion has begun. If the abortion continues,
bleeding and cramps become more severe. It decreases as one nears weeks 5 to 6.
In cases of excessive bleeding, there are chances that the uterus may not have been
emptied completely. Pain is a normal problem for the abortion process. It is often
relieved by using painkillers. In instances where there is excessive pain, one should
consult the doctor to have her uterus rechecked.
There are two types of abortion treatment, Medical and Surgical abortion:
1. Medical abortion: The abortion pill
Some women feel that a medical abortion is a more natural process. There are
two types of medical abortion (a) Abortion pill (also known as early medical
abortion) up to 10 week. It involves taking medication to cause an early
miscarriage. It has no surgery or anesthetic and 2 visits to the clinic may be
needed (which may be on the same day or up to 3 days apart).
(b) Abortion pill from 10 weeks up to 24 weeks. It involves taking medication to
cause the womb to contact and push out the pregnancy. 2 visits to the clinic are
needed and sometimes an overnight stay is needed on the 2 nd visit.
2. Surgical abortion; it involves a quick, minor operation.
(a) Vacuum aspiration up to 15 weeks.
It removes the pregnancy by gentle suction.

Up to 14 weeks of pregnancy this can be done while you are awake.

The quicker recovery time for this option means you can leave the

clinic unattended and drive sooner.

Up to 15weeks it can be done while you are asleep or relaxed.
One visit to the clinic and you go home the same day.
(b) Dilatation and evacuation between 15 and 24 weeks
Carried out while you are asleep
The pregnancy is removed using narrow forceps passed through the

neck of the womb and some gentle suction.

One visit to the clinic and you go home the same day.

Advantages

Abortion gives a chance to young women especially those below the age of

21 years old to pursue their education.

Abortion has been used to control family size.
Abortion gives women identity. Because in the chauvinistic societies,

women have no power at all over their reproductive sense.

Abortion has been help to women with health issues. Women with diseases
such as heart disease, hypertension and sickle cell anemia have been able
to avoid serious medical complications that arise from childbirth through
abortions.

Disadvantages

Abortion indicates brutality to the unborn child. This is because abortion is

killing. It does not give the new fetus to survive.

Abortion may end up causing psychological impairments. An example of this

is the depression and guilt.

Abortion promotes irresponsible behavior. This is because it gives women and
men alike the freedom to commit careless sexual diseases. This freedom

makes them care less about their sexuality.

Abortion can lead to many medical complications such as infection, sepsis,

recurrent, miscarriages.
Abortion is often use as a type of birth control by many women. This in a way
promotes

infidelity, wherein

women

can

easily

have

relationships, which would eventually end up in abortions.

Analysis

many

sexual

Abortion is a social, medical and religious issue. According to Peggy

Noonan Abortion is either okay, or it is not, this statement carries much truth
because if one does believe that abortion is okay then they most likely believe
that the fetus is not human, therefore the abortion is not a killing a human
being. But if one does not believe that the abortion is okay then they most
likely believe that the act of abortion is killing a human being because the
fetus is human. Why abort? Because some women have abortions are told by
the doctor that their baby will have a birth defect or they are told that the
pregnancy could possibly cause danger, and even be life threatening to them
or the other women choose the option of abortion because either the baby
and pregnancy is unwanted or the mother is too young to be able to give birth
and provide for the child.

References

Allanson, S., & Astbury, J. (2001). Attachment style and broken

attachments: Violence, pregnancy, and abortion. Australian Journal of

Psychology, 53, 146-151.

Illsley, R., & Hall, M. H. (1976). Psychological aspects of abortion: A
review of issues and needed research. Bulletin of the World Health

Organization, 53, 83-103.

Stotland, N. () Abortion: Social context, psychodynamic implications.

Miller, W. B. (1992). An empirical study of the psychological

antecedents and consequences of induced abortion. Journal of Social
Issues, 48, 67-93.