I certainly hope that the vast majority of abortions are not the result of a parent's hatred.
Nevertheless, even if that were the case, I don't really see how someone would prefer death to a sucky childhood. Whose childhood has not sucked at some point?
There is a difference between the struggles and frustrations that each and everyone of us go through, and true abuse, neglect, and maltreatment.
Do not confuse the two realities.
To answer your question, I personally would have. My parents conceived me at a point in their marriage where there was no emotional connection or feeling of love. The house was violent, filled with drugs (due to my father's crack cocaine addiction), the electricity was almost never on and we often struggled to get enough food to feed ourselves. Even after they divorced and the situation was much safer, there were - and are - still struggles. My mother suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Disorder. For seven years, I also suffered sexual abuse at the hands of someone who was entrusted with my care, which was necessary because my mother worked so much. I have also suffered with chronic health conditions - respiratory, cardiac, blood glucose related (low), neurological - and there have been moments without insurance.
I am not telling you this to gain your sympathy, nor to shock or horrify you. Overall, in comparison to how much worse things could have been, I have been fortunate. Through intensive treatment, both for physical and psychological (trauma-related) ills, I am actually rather healthy, doing extremely well in school and looking with an eye towards the future. At the moment, I am making plans to leave high school early and begin pursuing the premedical portion of my education.
I'm fairly happy. Still, looking back practically, it would have been better had my parents simply decided to abort me. That is not bitterness or depression speaking, either; just the way that I view it. And, obviously, I'm here and alive. Nothing I can do about it (or would be willing to do about it, rather).The best I can do is move forward and make the most out of what was often an awful childhood. That more "hopeful" attitude, however, still doesn't change the fact that it very likely would have been better had the pregnancy been terminated.
My grandparents also attempted to terminate the pregnancy that produced my father (this was back when it was illegal and the wives tale was that scalding baths and castor oil were the effective route), so this is not an issue I speak on without having thought extensively about. I have. My opinion has not changed.
Moving on...
To the topic at hand:
Personally, I am pro-choice in the legal respect; however, abortion is something that needs to occur only after very careful consideration of the circumstances and I believe there needs to be medical, financial or emotional grounds for for it. Though it could be argued intense hatred may fit into this category, I personally do not agree with it and, if I was a doctor for one of these families, would not feel comfortable doing the procedure. I put this in the same category as having an abortion due to the baby's sexuality or skin color (if we were able to know such things). I am also uncomfortable aborting a baby due to perceived genetic risk of developing a disease, deformity or disorder; no matter what the genetics of the parents, there is no way to predict for sure in most cases and, even if we were able to predict, there is no way to predict the actual prognosis for that child.
If, however, abortion is done due to:
- Medical necessity. Including a threat on the mother's life, or risk of long-term complications arising as a result of the birth or pregnancy.
- Rape. Some victims may choose to keep their children; however, they should not, in any circumstance, be forced to keep the child.
- Adolescence or Otherwise Other Situation In Life That Result In One Being Developmentally Unprepared. Once again, many do choose to keep the child; however, due to the long term implications, many will not and should not be forced to.
- Severe deformity or illness. If a child will be born with such serious complications that he/she will only live for a few hours/days/months, or will be unable to survive without 24/hour medical assistance, then abortion may be determined to be the best option.
- Situation in the family. Includes severe abuse, severe poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, etc.
- Drug use/abuse by mother. Especially if the mother shows no motivation to enter treatment.
Then I believe it is a justified abortion. Once again, however, I support its legal right, even in cases where I do not personally agree with the reason.
Couple other points:
- Nobody wants to be in a situation where abortion is seen as necessary or an option. That is why it is called an unplanned pregnancy.
- Therefore, prevention is the best policy. Condoms, birth control, emergency contraceptive ("the morning after pill") and balanced sex education are where we need to direct our efforts. Make it accessible to people of all ages, socioeconomic situation, and geographical location. Develop male birth control.
- Nobody should ever be forced to get an abortion. I would hope this is obvious.
- Yes, adoption exists; however, there are hundreds of children in foster care, right now, that need families. If you truly preach adoption as an alternative to abortion, then practice that preaching. Foster a child. Adopt a child. Volunteer with them. Only when it is so that every child in that system is being adopted, will this argument be 100% valid.
- Abortion is never ideal; but it should not be illegal, either. The practice has existed for almost as long as civilization has. It will continue to exist, too, no matter what the Supreme Court ends up ruling.
