Running Head: TOPIC PAPER ESSAY
Abortion
Ciara Zimmerman
PSYC 231-D03 LUO
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TOPIC PAPER ESSAY
Abstract
This essay will discuss teenage abortion and its relevance to adolescent development, as well
touch on the origin of the issue. Statistics and fact will be provided to support the paper as well
as possible solutions to reduce adolescent abortion. Finally, the paper will also discuss the
Christian worldview on the issue and how the Bible views this issue.
Introduction
Abortion in teenage development is a definite problem not only in America, but across the
globe. In fact, it is more common in the United States than in Western Europe or Canada, but less
common in Eastern Europe and China (Argys, Averett, & Rees, 2000). Recent reports have
indicated that about 1 million teenagers in America become pregnant annually. Of all these, 78%
are unintended and 35% always resort in abortion. This paper will also discuss abortion in
adolescents in great length stating relevant facts such as the origin of the issue, statistics, possible
solutions and the Christian worldview regarding this issue.
Origin of Adolescent Abortion
Teenage abortion has been around for as long as teenage pregnancy has been in existence.
However, until the 18th century, women have been helping each other out to conduct abortions
and have trained each other as well, without having to face any kind of legal ramifications. In
1803, Britian became the first country to pass antiabortion laws which continued to get stricter
over the century (Ehrlich, 2006). The United States followed suit and individual states have
began to outlaw abortion. In 1880, the United States had made most of the abortion’s illegal with
the exception of those who carried out to save a woman’s life. Abortion was criminalized
because it was a severely dangerous procedure that utilized the use of few antiseptics, crude
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methods and claimed the lives of many young women, the majority of whom were not married
(Chandra-Mouli, McCarraher, Philips, Williamson & Hainsworth, 2014).
Statistics and Facts
There is an estimated 40 to 50 million reported abortion cases worldwide, 20 million are said to
be unsafe. In developing countries, teenage abortion is on a steadfast rise and ranges from about
2 million to 4.4 million annually. In the United States, approximately 1 million teenagers become
pregnant annually. Out of those, about 70% of them are unintended and about 35% choose to
undergo abortion than keep the child. In fact, in 2006, there were 200,420 reported abortion cases
among teenagers aged 15-19 years (Altshuler, Gerns Storey & Prager, 2015). A total of 50
million abortions have taken place in the United States since 1073 to present day. 83.3% of all
abortions carried out in America were performed on unmarried women, 17% of this number are
from teenagers. Furthermore, statistics show that one in every three women gets pregnant before
reaching the age of twenty. There are approximately 750,000 teenager pregnancies each year, and
a third of this number seeks abortions (Argys, Averett, & Rees, 2000). Presently, 24 out of every
1000 teenagers have an abortion accounting to about 200,000 teenagers annually. Data obtained
from the CDC suggests that a majority of the abortions that occur are among black females than
whites and somehow low amongst the Hispanics than the whites.
Possible Solutions
To reduce teenage abortion, teenage pregnancy and its prevalence have to be addressed first
(Ehrlich, 2006). A study conducted be the New England Journal of Medicine suggested that
teenagers should be offered long term contraceptives such as IUDs at no cost to ensure that they
do not get pregnant at a tender age. These contraceptives would help all teenagers, even those
with no insurance, to ensure that they have a lower chance of getting pregnant. Additionally,
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these methods may prove to be more successful than using birth control pills and the male
condoms which have not been proven to be 100% effective (Argys, Averett, & Rees, 2000).
Moreover, teenage pregnancy can also be reduced by promoting abstinence and talking to
children about sex at a young age and about all the ramifications of having sex before marriage.
This would ensure that teenagers have all the information and are educated about everything
regarding sex instead of just assuming things. This education can be conducted by both parents
and teachers to ensure that the children have all the information and have all the necessary tools
to prevent teenage pregnancy before practicing sex (Chandra-Mouli, McCarraher, Philips,
Williamson & Hainsworth, 2014).
Moreover, since teenage pregnancy and abortion are becoming increasingly common, it is no
wonder that those more direct methods have to be used. It is no secret that adolescents still
continue to practice unsafe sex, despite all the education they receive (Altshuler, Gerns, Storey &
Prager, 2015). Hence, it would be wise to promote adoption instead of abortion. There are
millions of families out there who want children but cannot do so for several reasons. Here is an
example of what is being said, there is a teenager who became pregnant and does not want to
keep the child due to the fact that she is not ready. Adoption would be a nice option for her,
whereby; the child would be taken from her after birth and offered to a family that is ready to
take care of the child.
Christian Worldview on the Issue
The Christian worldview on abortion is that it is a sin and should not be practiced because the
embryo is in fact a human being, therefore, having an abortion is murder in the eyes of God.
While the Bible does not directly discuss abortion; it speaks regarding the view of God on human
life including life within the womb (ChristiaNet, 2017). The scripture provides ample
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information about the importance of human life and that even the baby in the womb is a unique,
precious and important, it should be protected at all costs and those who kill an innocent child
are guilty in the eyes of God.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that abortion in adolescents is a major issue that has yet to be fully
curbed and corrected. What is more astonishing however is that the numbers continue to grow
annually and unless solutions are implemented, it may lead to more serious consequences in the
future. While most religions do not believe in abortion, Christians are the most vocal about it and
have even organized dozens of anti-abortion campaigns. Adolescent abortion should be
prevented at all costs to ensure a bright future for future generations.
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References:
Altshuler, A. L., Gerns Storey, H.L., & Prager, S. W. (2015). Exploring abortion attitudes of US
adolescents and young adults using social media. Contraception, 91(3), 226-233.
doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2014.11.009
Argys, L. M., Averett, S. L., & Rees, D. I. (2000). Welfare generosity, pregnancies and abortions among
unmarried AFDC recipients. Journal of Population Economics, 13(4), 569.
Chandra-Mouli, V., McCarraher, D. R., Phillips, S. J., Williamson, N. E., & Hainsworth, G. (2014).
Contraception for adolescents in low and middle income countries: needs, barriers, and access.
Reproductive Health, 11(1), 1-15. Doi:10.1186/1742-4755-11-1
ChristiaNet (2017). Biblical worldview on abortion. Retrieved on 4 May 2021 from
https://www.christianet.com/abortionfacts/biblicalworldviewonabortion.htm
Ehrlich, J. S. (2006). Who decides?: The abortion rights of teens. Westport, Conn. [ea.: Prager.
