Chapter 1

The problem and its background

Introduction

Abortion is the ending of pregnancy due to removing an embryo or fetus before it

can survive outside the uterus. An abortion that occurs spontaneously is also known as a

miscarriage. When deliberate steps are taken to end a pregnancy, it is called an induced

abortion, or less frequently an "induced miscarriage".

Although abortion was decriminalized in 1973, the fight for abortion rights did

not end with Roe v. Wade. Just in the past three years, there have been systematic

restrictions on abortion rights sweeping the country state by state. In 2013, 22 states

enacted 70 antiabortion measures, including pre-viability abortion bans, unnecessary

doctor and clinic procedures, limits on medicated abortion, and bans on insurance

coverage of abortion In 2011, 92 abortion restrictions were enacted, an in 2012, that

number was 43. More abortion restrictions have been passed in the last three years than in

the previous decade combined (Guttmacher Institute, 2014). These facts prove even in an

increasingly progressive society, the antiabortion movement is winning many battles, as

the rights of women across the country are continually threatened.

 The history of 'abortion ' in the United States is more complex than most people

imagine. Abortion and issues surrounding abortion are involved in intense political and

public debate in the United States, law varies from state to state with regards to state

legislature of abortion. 'Until 1973, the control of abortion, was almost entirely in the

hands of the government of the state. ' (Vile. M. J. C, 1999, P203) The focal legal debate

surrounding the issue of abortion is whether a foetus has a basic legal right to live, which

turns on to the question on when a fetus is potentially a person (when it becomes 'viable ')

and therefore should be ultimately protected from this point. 'Pollitt identifies that to have

the legal right to have an abortion, was a transformative event for women’s liberation: it

saved women from death and injury; and enabled them to commit to education and work.

It also changed how women saw themselves; as mothers by choice not by fate.’

(Kennedy. S, 2014, P56) This essay will critically discuss the role and variety of actors

involved in the discussion of abortion in the United States, and the impact they have

politically, socially and economically, by critically exploring relevant theory.

Abortion is a medical practice to terminate a woman's pregnancy in the first 3

months. The history of abortion starts father before the pinnacle case of Roe v Wade in

1973. The supreme court made it legal to get an abortion and this is seen as an important

turning point for the american health care policies for women. Before this court case to

render it legal it had been performed for thousands of years and in every society known.

It was legal when settlers first came to the United States before the Constitution abortion

was openly advertised and performed on a regular basis.

Furthermore, they suggest that the presence of this syndrome, with its negative

impact on women, is another reason bolstering the outlawing of legal abortions. In order
to examine that argument, this paper will investigate PAS, try to conclude whether it is a

legitimate disorder, and determine whether its existence should impact the availability of

legal abortions.

Abortion is one of the most debatable and controversial issues that exists in our

society. An abortion is a medical procedure that terminates a pregnancy before 24 weeks.

People who call themselves Pro-Life feel that it is the government’s responsibility to

preserve all life, regardless of concerns for the pregnant woman’s health, or for the

quality of the life of the child. The Pro-Choice argument feels that a woman should have

the choice when it comes to what they wish to do with their own reproductive organs.

There are many arguments regarding abortions. One of many is that adoption is a

viable alternative to abortion. This statement implies that the only reason a woman would

want to get an abortion is to avoid raising a child, and that isn’t the case. Depending on

the circumstances, the mere act of having a child in a hospital can cost between $3,000

and $37,000 in the United States. Giving birth is dangerous, too: In the United States,

pregnancy complications are the sixth most common cause of death for women between

the ages of 20 and 34.

The important ways of looking at the issue of abortion are most easily categorized

into five major points, legal precedence, birth control issues, human rights, religion and

when life begins. Based on both empirical and moral claims, a wide spectrum of views

supporting either more or less legal restriction on abortions has emerged in America.

While advocacy groups define the issue through its constitutionality and its moral views

represented by their constituents, politicians define the issue by party lines, generally

with liberals as “pro-choice” and conservatives as “pro-life.” The media defines the issue
morally, presenting to the nation the views of various “pro-life” and “pro-choice”

organizations with little empirical evidence from both sides. The various positions that

can be taken on this issue can be divided by empirical and moral assumptions to more

clearly analyze the particulars of this heated topic.

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy before the time of extra-uterine

viability. An abortion terminates the life of the embryo, (the fertilized egg before three

months of growth) or the fetus after three months” (Pederson & Watson, 2003).

Ireland has just voted in a referendum to repeal one of the world's strictest bans on

abortion. Previously, abortion was illegal unless in the context of a medical emergency to

save the mother's life.

Although abortions have been in existence for many years, each culture has its

own distinctive views and interpretations regarding abortions. Since the beginning of

time, numerous women all around the world have terminated their pregnancy by having a

planned induced abortion. Sometimes the execution of abortion procedures is based on

ethical decisions, religious views, and at other times, the decisions are solely based on the

individual mothers-to-be culture. The United States, however, has numerous views that

are completely different from those in other countries. This essay will review the

legislative activity regarding abortions from the past forty-two years to the present, more

specifically, it will discuss the recent controversies of minors having induced abortions

without parental consent.

But 26 countries still ban abortion altogether, with no explicit legal reason for

exception, according to The Guttmacher Institute. A pregnant woman living in the

following states cannot legally terminate a pregnancy, even if it was the result of rape or

incest, and whatever the consequences to her own health:

Andorra, Malta, San Marino; Angola; Congo-Brazzaville; Congo-Kinshasa;

Egypt; Gabon; Guinea-Bissau; Madagascar; Mauritania; São Tomé & Príncipe; Senegal;

Iraq; Laos; Marshall Islands; Micronesia; Palau; Philippines; Tonga; Dominican

Republic; El Salvador; Haiti; Honduras; Nicaragua; and Suriname.

Other 37 countries ban abortion unless it is necessary to save the life of the

woman. These include major economies such as Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, Indonesia and

the UAE.

Other 9 36 countries restrict access unless an abortion is necessary to protect the

woman’s physical health. These include three European countries - Poland, Lichtenstein

and Monaco - as well as South Korea, Jordan, Argentina and Costa Rica. A further 24

countries include protecting the woman’s mental health as grounds for access. These

include New Zealand, Israel, Malaysia, Colombia and Thailand.

Overall, only 37% of the world’s 1.64 billion women of reproductive age live in

countries where abortion is permitted without restriction.

Thirteen countries, including Great Britain, India, Finland, Japan and Taiwan,

include socio-economic reasons as grounds for permitting an abortion. Sixty one

countries do not restrict access to abortion.

Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution says, in part, "Section 12. The State

recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a
basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the

life of the unborn from conception."

The act is criminalized by Philippine law. Articles 256, 258 and 259 of the

Revised Penal Code of the Philippines mandate imprisonment for women who undergo

abortion, as well as for any person who assists in the procedure. Article 258 further

imposes a higher prison term on the woman or her parents if the abortion is undertaken

"in order to conceal [the woman's] dishonor".

There is no law in the Philippines that expressly authorizes abortions in order to

save the woman's life; and the general provisions which do penalize abortion make no

qualifications if the woman's life is endangered. It may be argued that an abortion to save

the mother's life could be classified as a justifying circumstance (duress as opposed to

self-defense) that would bar criminal prosecution under the Revised Penal Code.

However, this has yet to be adjudicated by the Philippine Supreme Court.

Proposals to liberalize Philippine abortion laws have been opposed by the

Catholic Church, and its opposition has considerable influence in the predominantly

Catholic country. However, the constitutionality of abortion restrictions has yet to be

challenged before the Philippine Supreme Court.

In Tarlac there are also some cases of abortion because of some complication of

the pregnancy of the woman or because of some problem may be the woman is not yet

ready to be a mother and because of some family problem there are many reason why

woman abort their pregnancy.

 The researchers chose this topic because abortion is already widespread in our

country but not only in our country but also in other because the researchers want to

know the reason why they choose to abort their pregnancy and to find a solution to this

world wide problem.

Statement of the problem

1. What are the reasons why the respondent sorted to abortion?

2. What abortion procedures do participants undertake?

3. How was abortion change the life of the participant?

4. What is the implication of the study to the society?

Scope and Delimitation

The focus of this study is to know what are the reasons why the respondent sorted

to abort because there are so many reason why people chose to abort it depends on their

life situation and to know what are the different procedures of abortion because there

different types of abortion that the participant undertook and to also know how was

abortion change the life of the participant because abortion may affect and influence the

life of the person who do abortion and abortion have different implication .

Significance of the Study

For students. This study is important for students to understand the importance of life.

For parents. This study is important for parents to protect their children in their womb.

For youth. This study is important for young people to learn what is the effect of

abortion can be for their health.

For women. This study is important for women who are early get pregnant so they know

that abortion is illegal and unsafe.

 Chapter 2

Review of related literature and studies

This chapter includes the review of related literature and studies which the researchers

have perused to shed on the topic under the study.

Foreign Literature

Sheldon, Sally (1997) Abortion is now recognized as primarily a medical issue,

rather than one of political and social importance; its regulation determined by the

authority of doctors and other medical professionals. In the first comprehensive historical

study of the regulation of abortion, Sally Sheldon examines the causes and effects of the

medicalization of abortion, focusing on the role that law has played in this process.

Sheldon traces the history of the modern law on abortion, examining regulation in Britain

prior to the 1967 Abortion Act, following with a detailed study of the Act itself and the

values which underpin it, and locating the British law in a comparative context. Taking a

theoretical approach to the subject, Sheldon draws on the work of Foucault and on

feminist theory to challenge common perceptions that the law has evolved to embrace a

more permissive stance on abortion and that in so doing Britain, in particular, has now

'solved' the 'abortion problem'.

 Abortion is a major medical issue. It is a major problem that needs to be solved by

political administrators, Sally Sheldon reviews its cause and effect to encourage women

not to abort the baby in their womb because it has bad effects on women's health .

Dalhousie University (2008) Though abortion is legal in Canada, policies

currently in place at various levels of the health care system, and the individual actions of

medical professionals, can inhibit access to abortion. This paper examines the various

extra-legal barriers to abortion access that exist in Canada, and argues that these barriers

are unjust because there are no good reasons for the restrictions on autonomy that they

present. The paper then outlines the various policy measures that could be taken to

improve access.

Abortion is legal in Canada, policies currently in place at various levels of the

health care system, and the individual actions of medical professionals, can inhibit access

to abortion.

Chu Junhong (2004) In this study analyzes the practice of prenatal sex selection in

rural central China. It examines the prevalence and determinants of prenatal sex

determination by ultrasound scanning and subsequent sex‐selective abortion. The data are

derived from a survey of 820 married women aged 20–44 and from in‐depth interviews

with rural women and men, village leaders, family planning managers, and health

providers, conducted by the author in one county in central China in 2000. Prenatal sex

determination was a widespread practice, especially for second and higher‐order

pregnancies. Sex‐selective abortion was prevalent and order of pregnancy, sex of fetus,

and sex of previous children were major determinants of the practice. A female fetus

representing a high‐order pregnancy in a family with one or more daughters was the most
likely to be aborted. Awareness among rural families that in the population at large a

future marriage squeeze was likely did not diminish the demand for sex‐selective

abortion.

It examines the spread and determinants of prenatal sex determination by

scanning ultrasound and subsequent abortion in sex. Determination of prenatal sex is a

comprehensive exercise, especially for the second and higher order of pregnancy. The

fetus female who represents a high-order pregnancy in a family with one or more

daughters is the most likely to be removed. The awareness of family-populated families

in the larger marriages in the future is likely to not diminish the need for abortion.

Local Literature

Cabigon J. (2006) Each year in the Philippines, hundreds of thousands of women

become pregnant without intending to, and many women with unintended pregnancies

decide to end them by abortion. Because abortion is legal only to save a woman's life,

most procedures are clandestine, and many are carried out in unsafe circumstances.

Unsafe abortion can endanger women's reproductive health and lead to serious, often life-

threatening complications. Furthermore, unsafe abortions impose a heavy burden on

women, their families and society by virtue of the serious health consequences that often

ensue: These health problems can keep women from work and school, and treatment can

be costly and consume scarce medical resources at both public and private health

institutions. Because abortion is highly stigmatized and largely prohibited, information on

abortion is difficult to obtain. However, new research findings shed light on the causes,

level and consequences of abortion in the Philippines.

In the Philippines abortion is not allowed because it is not safe and can make

woman life endanger it can affect the reproductive health of the women but abortion can

use to save the life of a woman if the baby is dead inside her.

Moira Gallen (1982) This exploratory study of induced abortion in the Philippines

was carried out among 286 women who had undergone induced abortion and 106

abortion practitioners, selected from four major divisions of the country. The study

investigated the sociodemographic characteristics and pregnancy histories of abortion

clients; the sociodemographic characteristics, medical status, and practice background of

practitioners; abortion procedures and the related details; availability and provision of

services; reasons for undergoing abortion; sequelae of and attitudes toward abortion; and

the family planning background of clients and practitioners.

This study in the Philippines, is a study of compulsory abortion performed on 286

women to find out about the different types of abortions and find out what their effect on

abortion.

Jessica D. Gipson (2011) This study draws on in‐depth interviews and focus

group discussions with young adults in a metropolitan area of the Philippines to examine

perceptions and practices of illegal abortion. Study participants indicated that unintended

pregnancies are common and may be resolved through eventual acceptance or through

self‐induced injury or ingestion of substances to terminate the pregnancy. Despite the

illegality of abortion and the restricted status of misoprostol, substantial knowledge and
use of the drug exists. Discussions mirrored broader controversies associated with

abortion in this setting. Abortion was generally thought to invoke gaba (bad karma), yet

some noted its acceptability under certain circumstances. This study elucidates the

complexities of pregnancy decisionmaking in this restrictive environment and the need

for comprehensive and confidential reproductive health services for Filipino young

adults.

This study in the Philippines was made to examine the views and practices of

illegal abortion. Despite illegal abortion and the restricted condition of misoprostol, the

vast knowledge and use of the drug exists.

Foreign studies

Wisconsin (2000) In most countries, adolescents' access to abortion is limited by

restrictions on legal abortion. Abortion is legal in the United States, but many states

require parental consent or notification. Legislation mandating parental consent has been

justified by several assumptions, including high risk of psychological harm from

abortion, adolescents' inability to make an adequately informed decision, and benefits of

parental involvement.

Studies suggest a relatively low risk associated with abortion, and adolescents

seeking abortion appear to make an informed choice. Less is known about effects of

parental involvement.

Nada L. (1992) This is an article about a medical syndrome that does not exist. A

so-called abortion trauma syndrome has been described in written material and on

television and radio programs. For example, leaflets warning of deleterious physical and
emotional consequences of abortion have been distributed on the streets of cities in the

United States.1 Women who have undergone induced abortion are said to suffer an

"abortion trauma syndrome or "postabortion trauma" that will cause long-term damage to

their health. One such leaflet states,

This article is about the effects of abortion because it is a major problem

worldwide it can cause trauma if the abortion did not succeed.

Neena M. Philip (2004) Medical abortion regimens have become widely used, but

the frequency of infection after medical abortion is not well documented. This systematic

review provides data on infectious complications after medical abortion. We searched

Medline for articles written before July 2003 to determine the frequency of infection after

medical abortion up to 26 weeks of gestation. We reviewed all articles and extracted data

on the frequency of infection from 65 studies. The frequency of diagnosed and/or treated

infection after medical abortion was very low (0.92%, N = 46,421) and varied among

regimens. Results of this review confirm that, with respect to infectious complications,

medical abortion is a safe and effective option for first- and second-trimester pregnancy

termination. After accounting for regional variations in diagnosis, there is little difference

in frequency of infection among the regimens reviewed. Future studies should report

clear diagnosis and treatment standards for infection so that more precise information

becomes available.

Medical abortions have become widely used, but the frequency of infection after

medical abortion is not well documented. This systematic analysis provides data on

infectious complications after medical abortion

Local studies

Agaustine (2009) Using quantitative and qualitative data, the authors present

selected characteristics of 626 women who reported complications of induced abortion in

five hospitals: one in Nairobi, two in Lima, and two in Manila. Although there are some

similarities, the findings show some marked differences in demographic characteristics.

In Nairobi nearly all respondents were single, nulliparous, and 25 years or younger; in

Lima and Manila most were either married or in union, usually aged 25 years or older

and had at least 1 child. There was evidence of repeat abortions, especially in Nairobi

where 26% had had at least one previous abortion. Access to safe abortions is severely

restricted and is obtained through a secret referral system. A list of potentially hazardous

local abortifacients range from the drinking of strong Kenyan tea to dangerous practices

such as insertion of sharp objects into the uterus or drinking chemicals and toxic

substances.

The access of safe abortions is strictly restricted and obtained through a secret

referral system. A list of potential harmful local abortifacio is from drinking a strong

Kenyan tea in dangerous activities such as entering sharp uterine or drinking chemicals

and toxic ingredient.

Fatima Juarez (2005) In the Philippines, abortion is legally restricted.

Nevertheless, many women obtain abortions-often in unsafe conditions-to avoid

unplanned births. In 1994, the estimated abortion rate was 25 per 1,000 women per year;

no further research on abortion incidence has been conducted in the Philippines.

Methods: Data from 1,658 hospitals were used to estimate abortion incidence in 2000 and

to assess trends between 1994 and 2000, nationally and by region. An indirect estimation

methodology was used to calculate the total number of women hospitalized for

complications of induced abortion in 2000 (averaged data for 1999-2001), the total

number of women having abortions and the rate of induced abortion. Results: In 2000, an

estimated 78,900 women were hospitalized for postabortion care, 473,400 women had

abortions and the abortion rate was 27 per 1,000 women aged 15-44 per year. The

national abortion rate changed little between 1994 and 2000; however, large increases

occurred in metropolitan Manila (from 41 to 52) and Visayas (from 11 to 17). The

proportions of unplanned births and unintended pregnancies increased substantially in

Manila, and the use of traditional contraceptive methods increased in Manila and

Visayas. Conclusion: The increase in the level of induced abortion seen in some areas

may reflect the difficulties women experience in obtaining modern contraceptives as a

result of social and political constraints that affect health care provision. Policies and

programs regarding both postabortion care and contraceptive services need improvement.

In the Philippines, abortion is legally restricted because many women chose to

abort their pregnancy to prevent their childbirth, even if it’s not safe from their health.

John Cleland (2003) The relationship between levels of contraceptive use and the

incidence of induced abortion continues to provoke heated discussion, with some

observers arguing that use of abortion decreases as contraceptive prevalence rises and

others claiming that increased use of family planning methods causes abortion incidence

to rise. Methods: Abortion trends are examined in countries with reliable data on abortion
and with contraceptive prevalence information from two points in time showing increases

in contraceptive use.

Contraceptive is a method or device that use to prevent pregnancy it is related to

abortion but contraceptive prevents pregnancy but the illegal abortion prevents birth.