The Controversial Issue of Abortion in Philippines
Chapter I
A. Introduction
Abortion is one of the most persistently controversial issues in Philippines and in the America as well, in terms of culture and politics today. The Philippines is locked in heated debate over sex education for its people, not just in the schools but for adults.
This conflict is perhaps reflective of the nation’s ambivalence over abortion. While it is often depicted as a two-sided debate, the abortion controversy is actually quite multifaceted, involving complex speculation on biology, ethics, and constitutional rights. Those who identify themselves as prolife, for example, generally contend that abortion is wrong because it kills human life, which they believe begins at conception. However, some pro-lifers grant that abortion should be allowed in cases of rape or incest, or when the pregnancy threatens the life or health of the mother. Those who identify themselves as pro-choice often maintain that abortion must remain legal because a woman should have the right to control her body and her destiny. But some pro-choicer also believe that there should be certain restrictions on teen access to abortion and on abortions occurring after the first trimester of pregnancy.
It is reported that about 500,000 women seek abortions in the Philippines each year. Since abortion is illegal, some of the methods used are dangerous and painful. To perform abortions, midwives implement abdominal massage or insert catheters into the uterus. It is estimated that about 90,000 women then develop complications from the procedures and that 1000 die each year.
There is even controversy over the totality of abortions being banned in the Philippines. The UN said in this decade that it was legal only when the life of the woman was in danger it appears though, as often is the case with Philippine law, there are other laws that basically negate that exception. With the exceptions unclear, the law is a total ban for practical purposes.
The complex ethical
A. Introduction
Abortion is one of the most persistently controversial issues in Philippines and in the America as well, in terms of culture and politics today. The Philippines is locked in heated debate over sex education for its people, not just in the schools but for adults.
This conflict is perhaps reflective of the nation’s ambivalence over abortion. While it is often depicted as a two-sided debate, the abortion controversy is actually quite multifaceted, involving complex speculation on biology, ethics, and constitutional rights. Those who identify themselves as prolife, for example, generally contend that abortion is wrong because it kills human life, which they believe begins at conception. However, some pro-lifers grant that abortion should be allowed in cases of rape or incest, or when the pregnancy threatens the life or health of the mother. Those who identify themselves as pro-choice often maintain that abortion must remain legal because a woman should have the right to control her body and her destiny. But some pro-choicer also believe that there should be certain restrictions on teen access to abortion and on abortions occurring after the first trimester of pregnancy.
It is reported that about 500,000 women seek abortions in the Philippines each year. Since abortion is illegal, some of the methods used are dangerous and painful. To perform abortions, midwives implement abdominal massage or insert catheters into the uterus. It is estimated that about 90,000 women then develop complications from the procedures and that 1000 die each year.
There is even controversy over the totality of abortions being banned in the Philippines. The UN said in this decade that it was legal only when the life of the woman was in danger it appears though, as often is the case with Philippine law, there are other laws that basically negate that exception. With the exceptions unclear, the law is a total ban for practical purposes.
The complex ethical
References: Adler, Nancy, et al. (2003)”Abortion among Adolescents.” American Psychologist, 59(3), 211-7. Alan Guttmacher Institute, (1999) New Civil War: The Psychology, Culture, and Politics of Abortion. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Alliance Action Inc. (1996): Public Opinions on Abortion and the Death Penalty. Boston: Northeastern University Bankole et al (1998, 1999) “Psychological Responses after Abortion.” Science, 41-4 Gilchrist, A., et al. (1995) “Termination of Pregnancy and Psychiatric Morbidity.” British Journal of Psychiatry, 167(2), 243-8. Hutchison. (1997) Rethinking Abortion: Psychology, Gender, Power, and the Law. New York: Routledg. Kolata 1992; Hern et al (1993) “The Psychological Complications of Therapeutic Abortion.” 742-9. Otoide et al (2001) “Appraisals of Undesired Pregnancy and Abortion.” Archives of General Psychiatry 77-84. Terkel, Susan N., (1988) Pro-Life Answers to Pro-Choice Arguments. Sisters, OR: Multnomah, www.enotes.com/should-abortion-article