In this essay, we will discuss why abortion has been identified as a social problem. We will not be discussing the origin of the social problem, but rather the type of problem it is, and why this problem has not been resolved in the past. In the work Social Problems, by Ticket, Zion, and Smith, social problems are defined as, “… Conditions in society that induce material or psychic suffering for certain segments of the population… “(Ticket, Zion, and Smith, p. 9). Because a certain issue or condition need only affect a certain segment of the population, abortion can rightly be identified as a social robber.
Many individuals view abortion as a solution to unplanned pregnancies, and a way to ease the burden of caring for a child. Many individuals also see abortion as an interference with the natural cycle of life, and as a corruption to society. These two extreme and opposing viewpoints, the pro-choice and the pro-life, have classified abortion as a legitimate social problem, highlighting the disagreement and unrest that this issue has caused among the people. Abortion has become a social problem as a result of current social conditions.
The Stomacher Institute states, “Contraceptive use s a key predictor of women’s recourse to abortion. The very small group of American women who are at risk of experiencing an unintended pregnancy but are not using contraceptives account for almost half of all abortions. “(Stomacher Institute). This observation suggests that women turn to abortion because they do not have access to or information about contraceptives. This fact suggests that abortion is an outcome of lack of proper sex education, lack of resources, or lack of affordable contraception.
Whether the parent is unable to afford a child, or does not have the resources o support a family, abortion is sending as a solution to an already existing problem. Therefore, abortion has become a problem on behalf of the existing social conditions, which are causing other problems for certain groups of people (Ticket, Zion, and Smith 9-12). These other problems are going to have to be addressed before steps can be taken to provide effective solutions to abortion. In North Dakota, approximately 11% of pregnancies end in abortion (as of 2008), and 22% of pregnancies in America end in abortion (Stomacher Institute).
Of this overall percentage, 33% of abortions are obtained by women aged 20-24, and 24% of abortions are obtained by women aged 25-29. Over half of all abortions are being obtained by women IR their ass. The reasons behind obtaining an abortion were similar in most cases, “While a small proportion of women who have abortions do so because of health concerns or fetal anomalies, the large majority chose termination in response to an unintended pregnancy… ” (Finer, Forthwith, Sings, and Moore).
Once again, this statistic seems to be the result of a previous problem: lack of contraception, or lack Of education. A survey performed in 2004 questioned he reasons women chose to abort. The top reasons were, “Having a baby would dramatically change my life”, and “I can’t afford a baby now” (Finer, Forthwith, Sings, and Moore). These reasons help unsheathe the deeper motives that caused abortion to become such a social issue. Many women do not receive the support, education, and resources they need to care for a child.
Therefore, in order to provide effective solutions to this problem, the education and welfare of young women need to be taken into consideration. On January 22, 1 973, the Supreme Court legalized abortion under the United States Constitution (Alaska). Since then, all attempts to counter this act have been unsuccessful. Many pro-life groups continually and peacefully attempt to end abortion, through prayer services, peaceful protests, and an annual “March for Life”.
Nevertheless, abortion remains legal in the United States; the public policy itself remaining unchanged, and the pro-life members Of society unsatisfied. In North Dakota, certain restrictions were placed on abortion on September 1, 2013, making it more difficult to receive abortion services. For example, women are now required to undergo counseling afore having an abortion, minors must have parental consent before receiving an abortion, and abortions will only be performed after 20 weeks post fertilization if the woman’s life is in danger (Stomacher Institute, State Facts about Abortion).
The fact that previous attempts to end abortion have failed indicates that the problem is much more extensive, possibly being related to lack of contraception, education, and resources. These additional problems will need to be acknowledged before the steps can be made to solve the problem of abortion. In conclusion, we have deduced that abortion as become an issue due to previous deficiencies in society. Those deficiencies, including lack of education, resources, and contraception, have broken the cohesion amongst the members of society and caused abortion to become a significant issue.
