Abortion

Unwanted Pregnancies

A great number of pregnancies are unplanned, and many of these are unwelcome or even unwanted. Unplanned and unwelcome pregnancies are usually accepted by the future parents once they have taken some time to adjust to them, but truly unwanted pregnancies are a different matter.

Involuntary First Intercourse in the USA 1995 Age at first intercourse Number in thousands Involuntary first intercourse in percent Under 16 years 13,944 16.1    Under 15 years 7,290 22.1 16 years 8,750 6.5 17 years 8,754 4.9 18 years 6,941 5.1 Source: CDC - National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)

Unwanted pregnancies happen for many reasons. One of them could be rape. However, most often the case is less dramatic: Some people who engage in coitus simply do not know about contraception, or they are unable to get contraceptives, or they are young, careless and irresponsible, or the contraceptives they use do not work. Whatever the cause, an unwanted pregnancy can create very serious problems.

In the case of parents who already have difficulty supporting several children, one more birth can mean misery and despair for the whole family. An expectant mother who is physically weak or who suffers from certain diseases or drug addiction may, by her pregnancy, further endanger her own health or give birth to a sick or deformed baby. A young, unmarried woman may be totally unprepared, unfit, or unwilling to assume the responsibilities of motherhood. Thus, an unwanted birth could be a disaster not only for her but also for the child. In these and similar cases, a woman may well decide that a voluntary abortion is the only way out.