Introduction
Should abortions be allowed in certain cases, such as when the mother’s life is at risk or when a pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, but not in other cases?
The question of whether abortion is ethical in certain circumstances remains contentious in public, political, and religious debates. The fact that states such as Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri, and Alabama criminalize abortion at six to eight weeks of pregnancy indicates that even the legal authorities would accept termination of pregnancy within some confines (Nobis & Grob, 2019). The woman has a right to life and happiness that should not be sacrificed because of a fetus (Nobis & Grob, 2019). Moreover, if the mother did not give consent for sex like in the case of rape, or if it was unknowingly between family members and dire consequences are expected, then abortion is justified. Yet, the fetus has a life which should be dignified and protected even if it cannot advocate for its rights.
The defense against abortion is to prevent murder and guilt that follows pregnancy termination. People who are religious also consider that it is a sin against God. The other argument is that dangerous consequences can even be fatal to the mother. There was a dire social and economic consequences of permitting abortion (Murtagh & Lee, 2017). Conversely, the mother should not bear the shame and frustrations that come with pregnancy if they are sick or were raped. The mother is set free from the economic burden, social stigma, and health complications due to the pregnancy. The country can also make plans for their population and afford women their rights. This paper will apply utilitarianism approach to ethics in showing that women that have been raped or have some health complications should be free to terminate their pregnancy if that will bring them more solace, joy, and peace.
Ethical Argument
The sensible thing to do for a woman who is battling a life-threatening condition, dealing with rape trauma, and at the verge of losing her dreams because of pregnancy is to legalize abortion. Moreover. it is not fair for a woman to suffer stigma, disrupt dreams, and risk death because they are hosting an unwelcome guest threatening the ability to find happiness and joy. Moreover, when abortion is performed earlier, the fetus does not have a brain, cannot feel pain, or have a conscious. The country can also plan for its population without worrying about fetuses who came from bad lack so that women resume their activities and live normal lives.
Explanation and Defense
Utilitarianism theory proposes the need for people to decide on actions that enhance their feelings of pleasure and happiness when confronted with a moral dilemma. The implication is that the theory gives the responsibility of deciding whether to continue with the pregnancy or terminate it solely to the woman. The life of a woman is so important that it should never be forced to continue the obligation of hosting a fetus that they never planned to have. The abortion can be the only way to save the mother from some pregnancy complications. It is insane to think that a woman suffering from mental, psychological, or physical health can support the life of a fetus.
It is a known fact that there is always a social stigma when a woman gets pregnant from rape or incest. In addition, even the unborn child would have to endure shaming and isolation if other people knew that the pregnancy was not planned (Murtagh & Lee, 2017). Both the child and the mother will have to live with rejection for the rest of their lives. It is hard to enjoy life when one is the subject of gossip. Moreover, if the woman aborts, they get a second chance to make plans and welcome the baby when they prepare. Likewise, the country gets a chance to plan for all its children, as was the case with China’s one-child policy. The mother is set free from the economic pressure of raising a baby. Thus, it should be the right of the woman to decide what they are ready to welcome a different person into the family. Such liberty promotes policing that is futuristic, and there are other alternatives.
Notably, a fetus develops consciousness when they are beyond six months. Therefore, the mothers can relax knowing that they are not subjecting the fetus to pain. In most cases, the embryo is unaware that they are not cutting short of life. The woman should never be forced to make a decision that they are not ready and willing to make. Worse still, the people who stigmatize the mothers will never give their time, money, or other resources to support the mother. The person most affected by the unplanned pregnancy can help ensure that the rights and desires of women are protected.
Objection and Response
God forms humans; hence there is no justifiable reason to take it away. Given that life begins at conception, there is no justification for terminating a pregnancy even if it was never planned. According to the deontological theory, an action is ethical only when the intention of the person making the decision is right (Murtagh & Lee, 2017). It is appropriate for women to have the liberty to abort, following doctors advise, without being criminalized. However, in the case of assault or incest where vicarious distress can occur to the woman, then it is only right that they terminate the fetus. God is mostly understanding and delegated some decision-making skills to people. Thus, the woman has insight to choose what is right for everyone in the matter of abortion.
Abortion is a right of women that has the potential of helping them stay free from the domination of men while giving them a chance to continue building other parts of their lives, such as education and career. The intention is to avoid being made to fit into the traditional roles where men are free to do whatever they want, but women must be double-checked when given the right to their bodies. Moreover, abortion affects at least three lives, including the mother, father, and unborn child; hence the decision should not be left to one person. Criminalizing abortion because of the health of the mother or fetus is overstepping the boundaries that a woman should make alone unless they have mental health disorder. Furthermore, children born in distress and shame suffer from self-esteem issues and may never succeed to be responsible members of the society.
There have been worries that women who abort their children, regardless of their circumstances, end up having a guilty conscious. However, a longitudinal study investigated whether women continue suffering emotionally and psychologically many years after their actions. However, findings from longitudinal “turnaway” investigations indicate that women whose desire to perform an abortion was turned down end up living in misery (Foster, 2020). The implications for these findings are that denying a woman their right to abortion in the hope of protecting their mental health only makes them more stressed. The researcher also shows that those women who had an abortion had better health, career, and socioeconomic status than those convinced to give birth to their unwanted babies.
Conclusion
In summary, the issue of allowing abortion in the case of incest, rape, and health complications remains a contentious issue. However, utilitarian theory advocates that when confronted with a dilemma, then a person should make the decision that makes them happy. In turn, women who want to terminate a pregnancy for the stated reasons should be able to decide without any challenge. After all, the life of the woman is important, and if se is not well physically, emotionally, or socially it is unfair to force her with the obligation of nurturing a pregnancy. Abortion has many benefits, including saving lives, avoiding men dominance, healing from trauma, completing plans, and better planning for the future. However, there are also arguments against any form of intentional miscarriage key among them is that it makes the woman take life that only God can give. Moreover, the woman makes a decision that impacts more people, including the baby and others, such as the father. There are responses to all counterarguments which further reinforce the right for a woman to do an abortion in the case of rape, incest, or health complications.
References
Foster, D. G. (2020). The Turnaway study: Ten years, a thousand women, and the consequences of having—or being denied—an abortion. Scribner.
Murtagh, A., & Lee, A. (2017). Meta: On God, the big questions, and the just city (An uncommon exchange). Wipf and Stock Publishers.
Nobis, N., & Grob, K. (2019). Thinking critically about abortion: Why most abortions aren’t wrong & why all abortions should be legal. Open Philosophy Press.