Busting The Top 5 Abortion Myths

Pro-lifers like me are constantly being challenged by pro-murder “people” whenever we post about our support for pre-born humans.  They pose many all-too-speculative, and reliably ridiculous, questions, but they also perpetuate far too many myths while belittling those who believe in the sanctity of life.  Unfortunately, far too much of the truth about abortion just isn't known to the general public.  I hope this post will aid you when some cranky, ill-informed (or flat-out lying) LiberTroll tries to pick a fight with you about your stance. 

The myth: Abortion is only legal through the first trimester.

The reality:  The frightening scope of Roe v. Wade, and Doe v. Bolton effectively established that abortion on demand was constitutional throughout the full term of pregnancy with virtually no restrictions, and for any reason; personal finances, social concerns, individual lifestyle.  No matter what reason a woman chose, there is no significant legal barriers to prevent an abortion during any stage of a pregnancy.

The myth:  Health issues, whether mother or baby, occur often enough to warrant abortion on demand for everyone.

The reality:  Less than 6% of abortions per year are performed for health reasons, rape, and incest COMBINED.  With a statistic like that, there's no arguing that the overwhelming majority (94%) of abortions are performed as a means of birth control.

The myth:  Nobody truly knows when human life begins.

The reality:  It is a scientific and medical fact that human life begins at conception.  That is inarguable.  The being that results from conception is human, complete, growing, sexed – and here's the most important part – alive.  Again, this is inescapable fact.  The point of contention arises from whether this pre-born human being is actually a “person” and worthy of the rights and protections of an already born human.

The myth:  Abortion doesn't happen often, but it is an unfortunate necessity.

The reality:  At least 1.2 million abortions take place each year in the United States.  According to a 1999 study by the Alan Guttmacher Institute, nearly one in four pregnancies ends in abortion.  1,200,000 sounds an awful lot like often to me.

The myth:  Abortion is used mainly as a last resort, mostly for pregnancies that result from rape or incest.

The reality:  In an Alan Guttmacher Institute study entitled “Why Women Have Abortions,” specific answers were requested from respondents when asked why they aborted.

The top three answers were:

1.)  Unready for responsibility.  2.)  Can't afford baby now.  3.) Concern about how having a baby would change her life.

The bottom three answers, all tied for last place at 1% each were:

1.)  Was a victim of rape or incest.  2.)  Husband or partner wanted the abortion.  3.)  Didn't want others to know she has had sex or is pregnant.

The “abortion is a last resort” argument is specious at best, completely fallacious at worst.

These are the first 5 abortion myths I'm busting.  More may follow in the weeks to come. ~ Hunter

Sources:

National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 1994. Hyattsville, Maryland: Public Health Service, 1995. Abortion Surveillance 1985, Center for Disease Control, Table #18. Induced Abortion: World Review 1983, by Christopher Tietze, The Population Council, p 103. Maternal Mortality Surveillance 1979-1986, Centers for Disease Control, M&M Weekly report July 1991, Vol. 40, No. SS-1.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Center of Child Abuse and Neglect; National Analysis of Official Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting.
P. Ney, M.D. "Relationship between Abortion and Child Abuse." Canada Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 24, pp. 610-620.
Linda Bird Francke, The Ambivalence of Abortion. New York: Random House, 1978, 47-48.
George Skelton, "Many in Survey Who Had Abortion Cite Guilt Feelings," Los Angeles Times, March 19, 1989, p. 28.
"Report on the Committee on the Operation of the Abortion Law," p. 321. Ottawa, 1977.
Vincent M. Rue, "The Psychological Realities of Induced Abortion," Post-Abortion aftermath: A Comprehensive Consideration, Michael T. Mannion, Editor, Sheed & Ward, 1994, p. 543.