ABORTION AND MENTAL HEALTH

In 1969 the Federal government decriminalized abortion by

making it legal under certain restricted conditions, specifically

in cases where the continuation of the pregnancy ... would be

likely to endanger the life or health of the mother. The law

does not define health, and many doctors admit that they recom-

mend abortion for mental health reasons to get around the law.

We are writing in regards to the inconsistencies and the

contradictions we have observed in our society concerning abor-

tion and mental health. The concept of allowing a woman an

abortion on the grounds of her physiological condition is ex-

tremely questionable. If she is granted an abortion for mental

health reasons, then our society is hypocritical.

On one hand, our society does not accept documents or deci-

sions made by a person who is, or can be proven to be, mentally

unstable at the time of their decision.

Last will and testament

If a person chooses to leave their possessions to someone

outside the immediate family, the Will can be challenged and

changed by family members on grounds of the mental state of the

deceased.

Murder

If a person pleads temporary insanity, they receive mental

help and they are not held accountable for their actions.

On the other hand, if a woman states she is under mental

stress because of a pregnancy, she is recommended to have an

abortion. Mental stress demands mental treatment, not a physical

solution. The very fact that mental stress is present should

expose the woman's inability to make a decision for an abortion.

If a person is not able to give mere possessions to someone

because they may be mentally incompetent, how is it that a woman

under mental stress is given the freedom to make a serious deci-

sion that involves taking the life of another human being.

If she cannot deal with the mental stress of the pregnancy,

how will she ever deal with the stress of the abortion? Many

women have realized AFTER the abortion that they have actually

taken the life of their baby.

In view of these very real aspects of making such a decision

based on the mental state of a person, abortion should be prohib-

ited rather than promoted.

( L. Perkins and G. Van der Ploeg)

 

 

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