Counter the Culture:
Abortion Myths and Truths
(compiled by Joann White)
Myth: The human fetus (Latin for young one) is a clinical mass of tissue that feels no pain undergoing the abortion procedure. The truth is:
- With modern pain scoring tools and physiological indicator researchers have shown that a 20-22 week old pre-born baby has complete pain pathways and the ability to express pain. (Jorgensen,K; Anand KJS and Hickey P and others)
- An estimated 400-500 child are born alive each year and then made to die by strangulation, drowning, or a lack of attentiveness to primary needs. (Dr. W. Gates, Centers for Disease Control, 1981)
Myth: Complications are few and there is little risk in the abortion procedure.
The truth is:
- States are not required to report abortion data to any federal agency. (deVeber Institute of Bioethics and Social Research (Canada), Women’s Health After Abortion: The Medical and Psychological Evidence; Cassidy and Gentles, 2004.)
- Although an accurate assessment of impact to women is difficult because of reporting procedures and coding for U.S. death certificates, 398 women have died from legal abortions between 1973 and 2004. ( Centers for Disease Control reported by Moira Gaul, Family Research Council)
- Although some short-term complications for women may be reported, limitations exist in our knowledge of long term physical after-effects because there are no standard reporting procedures of complications in U.S., Canada, or the World Health Organization. (deVeber Institute, Women’s Health After Abortion, Chapter 1
- No matter what the severity or prevalence of the risk, no one can argue that some women might experience cervical or uterine damage, future reproductive problems, and subsequent abuse of drugs or alcohol. (Women’s Health After Abortion, Chapters 4,5,6; Family Research Council, Moria Gaul, “How Abortion Harms Women’s Health”)
- US and worldwide studies are showing an increasing concern about abortion’s increase cancer risk for the reproductive system, rectal and even more for breast cancer. (Women’s Health After Abortion, Chapters 2 and 3); Pro-Life Feminism: Yesterday and Today, Derr, MacNair, and Naranjo-Hubel pp195-196)
- There is now virtually no disagreement among researchers that some women experience negative psychological reactions post abortion. (G. Wilmouth, Journal of Social Issues,48 “Abortion, Public Policy, and Informed Consent Legislation)
Myth: The women undergoing abortion are definite in their decision, choose freely and know what they are getting themselves into. The truth is:
- Research findings suggest that many, if not most, abortions are marginal choices made contrary to the fundamental desires and beliefs of women having them. Abortion rates might plummet if women were fully informed, not coerced, and offered real alternatives to the problems which are facing them. (David C Reardon, Aborted Women – Silent No More, 1987, and “Informed Consent: the Abortion Industry’s Achilles Heel”, Post Abortion Review2 (2) m 1994.
Myth: Abortions right is a great social policy which has enabled women to get ahead. The truth is:
- “First Wave Feminists” (Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton claimed abortion was a symptom of society’s exploitation of women. Today, that is still true especially for our African-American, Latino sisters and women in their 20’s. More than half of the women obtaining abortions in 2004 were in their 20’s. Although the overall abortion rate is down, the rate for African-Americans is 5 xs that of white women and for Latinas, it is 3x the rate.(“Child Murder” Revolution, March 13, 1868; Guttmacher Institute Statistics)
- In the beginning, “Second Wave Feminists”, like Betty Friedan, didn’t advocate for abortion rights until they were convinced by Larry Lader, a co-founder of NARL (then the National Association to Repeal the Abortion Laws) that if women wanted to be treated as men in the marketplace, they mustn’t expect employers to accommodate their motherhood and family plans. Dr. Bernard Nathanson, the other co-founder, later told a Feminists For Life past president that Lader “simply made up” the story that 10,000 women a year dies from illegal abortions. (“The Feminist Case Against Abortion” by Serrin Foster to Wellesley College, 2004)