Abortion: An Ethical Dilemma

Introduction

“What is the essence of being a woman?” This is the infamous question for Sushmita Sen of India during the Q & A portion of Miss Universe back in the year of 1994. The candidate answered the question wholeheartedly saying: “The essence of being a woman is to become a mother…” and as the others say, the rest is history, and the judges chose well the new Miss Universe.

It is nice to know that the women are so delighted with the idea of having a family and building a home with their husband and children. Many women in today’s time are also career-oriented, making their fame in the field of their choice. And yes, admit it, not all of the stories to achieve the sweetness of life are easy. There is a circumstance that twists the fate and one of them is abortion, the women biggest dilemma.

Abortion

Abortion in a simple explanation is the act of taking the life of an innocent baby inside the mother’s womb. It is usually done intentionally and voluntary to save the future of the woman, which sometimes blinded them from the truth.

Abortion has medical, legal, theological, ethical, social and personal aspects. It is also a highly emotional subject, for it touches on the mysteries of human sexuality and reproduction, and often involves acutely painful dilemmas. Abortion happens in most women who are not ready to face the responsibility of the unplanned pregnancy. The main factor that pushes a woman to seek abortion is within the psychological aspect which is fear.

There are many effects of abortion that are anticipated and can lead to serious consequences. The decision of delivering the death of the unborn child will soon pay for its price. And the woman will suffer physically, mentally, socially, and even spiritually because of the thing called conscience that will haunt them. The effects can start in a simple abdominal pain or vomiting up to the heavy bleeding, infection and damage of the organs and the worst is death.

It is important to understand that these risks are rare and some are even present with child birth. What matters is that you are aware that they exist as you make an educated decision about the woman’s pregnancy.

Ethical Theories

The ethical theories should be clear, internally consistent and coherent, complete and comprehensive, simple, and can generally support ordinary judgment.

The utilitarianism is the production of the greatest possible balance of good and evil for all persons affected. The end justifies the means, promote the greatest good for the greater number about what is right is what is most useful/ valued most.

Deontology is an act of consequences that makes it right or wrong. It can be based in religious belief like the natural law, common morality or other system. Examples are the honesty, fidelity, gratitude, justice, beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, privacy.

A right is a claim that can be made upon society, moral rights are claims justified by moral rules, positive rights require another’s action, or negative rights require another’s forbearance.

Ethical Dilemma on Abortion

Ethical codes are guidelines for ethical behavior but when it is not sufficient to solve an ethical dilemma, counselors are urged to turn a higher approach on the ethical reasoning, which gradually involves ethical principles.

The autonomy which refers to the freedom of action can cause the conflict between the rights of the unborn child and the rights of the mother. The mother is generally capable of making her own decisions, and the fetus cannot. The counselor is placed in a stake by protecting both the mother and the fetus by taking away this freedom.

The fidelity describes the essence of truthfulness within a relationship and implies protection of the interests. The counselor’s values towards the case are threatened and might feel the violation of the plan in having the abortion against the mother. The utilitarian principle applies in the critical-evaluative level of moral reasoning. And the decision of balancing the good over evil must be weighed right.

Justice considers being part of ethical decision making with regards to fairness and equality. The evasive nature of justice is manifested in the ambivalence counselors experience when they sense their own individual justice breached by their incongruence of thought and action.

The beneficence means to do good and balancing against the potential for harm. The integral concept of beneficence in abortion can change the legal structure. With the side of beneficence is the non-malefecence which means “to do no harm”. This kind of ethical ideas can help the counselors do the necessary action.

Conclusion & Recommendation

This recommendation is not only intended for the counselors but for all the people who are aware of the problems concerning with the issue of abortion and want to help the women out of their suffering.

The process is by asking the person involve about the issues that clouding her mind. Ask the questions regarding the abortion decision she was up to, and set to her other alternatives just to avoid the decision to become final. Tell her the probable outcomes that might lead her in making the decision. After identifying the cause of her decision, make it clear to her the importance of life. And the very final thing to remember is not blame her in letting herself get into that trouble because you might make the situation worst and can lead to committing suicide. Remember that your purpose is saving life, like diffusing a bomb where people surrounds you.

The fetus is an innocent person, and it is wrong to end the life of an innocent person therefore, it is wrong to end the life of a fetus. The society must condemn abortion completely. If it is not possible then make the abortion limited like for the reasons of saving the mother’s life, defective newborns, or rape victims and approve it when the reason is prior to the viability.

References:

Scott, J., (2005) The Abortion Dilemma, Accessed September 16, 2009, from http://associate.com/groups/faithandlife/0::7100read.html

Centro Gnóstico Anael (n.d.. Abortion: Methods and Consequences, Accessed September 16, 2009, from http://www.anael.org/english/abortion/index.htm

American Pregnancy Association. Effects of Abortion, Accessed September 16, 2009, from http://www.americanpregnancy.org/unplannedpregnancy/possiblesideeffects.html

Sherman, J., (n.d.) Ethical Theories, University of Florida, Accessed September 16, 2009, from http://www.peds.ufl.edu/PEDS2/education/ethics_course.pdf

Millner, V., & Hanks, R., (2002) Induced Abortion: An Ethical Conundrum for Counselors, Journal of Counseling and Development American Counseling Association, 80(1).