PHI FPX 2000 assessment 4

Contemporary Social Issues: Abortion

Abortion is one of the most controversial and argued issues in our modern world, entailing pregnancy termination by expulsion of the fetus from the womb. This complex phenomenon has its roots in opposing beliefs that were born during the sexual revolution of the twentieth century, creating controversy surrounding abortion. The Vatican’s 1987 guidelines and its firm stand at the 1994 Cairo Conference are examples of how the Catholic Church has resisted abortion.

Likewise, most nations worldwide also have this anti-abortion and family planning attitude (Turgambayeva et al., 2018). Protestant and Orthodox nations are more tolerant, on the other hand. As many as 60 million abortions are estimated to take place globally annually (Turgambayeva et al., 2018).

Importance of Abortion from Multiple Viewpoints

Abortion becomes important from various viewpoints, such as personal autonomy and decision-making freedom, which are vital in a democratic society. Moreover, the significance of safe and legal abortion in the reproductive health of women cannot be underestimated (Yokoe et al., 2019). Gender equality matters become prominent, with women belonging to low-income households and minority communities having disproportionate issues due to limited availability of healthcare for safe and legal abortions (Erdman, 2019). Also, abortion is a very controversial subject with significant political and social ramifications (Baird & Millar, 2020).

Conflicting Perspectives Regarding Abortion

There are three key conflicting views on abortion. On the one hand, there are women’s rights supporters who advocate for access to legal and safe abortion, especially in cases of rape, incest, or when the woman’s physical or mental health is endangered. They believe that limiting access would undermine women’s rights and result in illegal, unsafe abortions (Yokoe et al., 2019).

On the contrary, critics perceive abortion as morally wrong, disregarding the sanctity of human life. They argue that life begins at conception, and the fetus possesses the right to life. Additionally, they assert that abortion can harm women psychologically and physically, advocating for alternative options like adoption (Zareba et al., 2020).

Finally, a moderate perspective acknowledges the issue’s complexity, supporting legal and accessible abortion while calling for efforts to reduce abortion cases by promoting sex education, contraceptive accessibility, and pregnant women support (Terzungwe et al., 2021).

Analysis of Stakeholders Interest and Arguments

Stakeholders in the abortion case include women who undergo abortions, fathers-to-be, and governments that determine policies. Women want reproductive rights, health, and safety, calling for access to safe and legal abortion free from government control. Men want to support the reproductive health of their partners while not wanting to be unintended fathers. Governments seek to safeguard citizens’ health and safety by providing standards for abortion services and discussing the rights of mothers and fetuses (Baird & Millar, 2020).

Insight from Different Academic Disciplines

Abortion as a complex phenomenon receives insight from other academic disciplines. Sociology informs us that safe and legal abortion services lower maternal deaths, unwanted births, and pregnancies. Ethical studies probe into moral considerations, arguing over the moral rights of the fetus versus a woman’s right to make choices for herself. Psychological studies investigate possible negative psychological outcomes for women undergoing abortion (Akbari et al., 2020; Blackshaw & Rodger, 2021).

Analysis of Abortion through Deontology

Analyzing abortion using deontology, an ethical approach focusing on actions regardless of outcomes, finds opposing views. Deontological ethics view the killing of an innocent individual as bad, equating a fetus to an individual with moral standing. But advocates suggest abortion in particular situations, focusing on personal autonomy and the positive influence on women’s lives (Watt & McCarthy, 2020).

Conclusion

The abortion debate is very contentious, covering divergent views and interests. From personal freedom to gender equality and women’s health, abortion remains significant in the world today. Divided opinion extends from defending the right to choose for women to viewing abortion as a contravention of life’s sanctity. The variation notwithstanding, common ground lies in the aim to minimize abortion’s necessity by means of prevention and care while deeming importance to take varied arguments and facts into account while reaching individual judgments.

PHI FPX 2000 Assessment 4 Contemporary Social Issues

Yokoe, R., Rowe, R., Choudhury, S. S., Rani, A., Zahir, F., & Nair, M. (2019). Unsafe abortion and abortion-related death among 1.8 million women in India. BMJ Global Health, 4(3).

Zareba, K., La Rosa, V. L., Ciebiera, M., Makara-Studzińska, M., Commodari, E., & Gierus, J. (2020). Psychological effects of abortion. An updated narrative review. Eastern Journal of Medicine, 25(3), 477–483.

Terzungwe, D., Benjamin, Oojo N‟s, I. M., & Emmanuel, O. O. (2021). Influence of sex education on abortion prevention among adolescents in high level, Makurdi local government area of Benue state. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 05(07), 310–318.

Watt, H., & McCarthy, A. (2020). Targeting the fetal body and/or mother-child connection: Vital conflicts and abortion. The Linacre Quarterly, 87(2), 147–160.