Read Time: 6 minutes

Introduction:

Every argument used to justify abortion based on necessity is flawed in nature. Even when made with good intentions, they assume it is the only solution. They also assume that death is the best solution.

Definitions and Language:

The Principle of Double Effect: This allows a morally good or neutral act that has an unintended harmful side effect. The criteria are that the act itself is good or neutral, the good isn’t caused by the harm, the harm isn’t intended, and the good outweighs the harm.

Clinical definition: Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus.

Pro-life definition: Abortion is the deliberate and direct killing of an unborn human being.

However, in this article, the term abortion refers specifically to induced or intentional abortion. This distinction is made for several reasons: combining natural loss and deliberate termination creates unnecessary ambiguity from both an ethical and medical standpoint; it obscures the debate over whether induced abortion is ever medically necessary; applying the same term to different truths creates confusion; and maintaining distinct terms helps prevent the normalisation of induced abortion. That’s why we use many common names.

Life of the Mother:

Pro-abortion advocates, even if well-intentioned, often claim that abortion is justified when the mother’s life is at risk. This is a real concern. However, in reality, abortion isn’t ever needed to save a mother’s life. This is possible through the Principle of Double Effect.

Ectopic Pregnancy – In this type of pregnancy, the embryo implants outside the womb. If left untreated, it would kill the mother unless the baby miscarries or medical intervention is used to remove the baby. This isn’t classed as an abortion because there is just no way to currently save the baby; the intent isn’t to deliberately end the child’s life.

Premature Induced Birth or C-Section – In certain medical emergencies, intervention may be necessary. These situations include, but are not limited to, pregnant underage girls, endometrial cancer, and being pregnant with multiple unborn children. When possible, doctors try to wait as long as they can for the baby to develop, but should never put the mother’s life at serious risk. If the baby can survive, doctors provide neonatal care to give the child the best chance of living. But if survival is unlikely, they may still offer neonatal care or place the child in end-of-life care. Keep in mind some babies live even if unexpected.

Miscarriage Care – When a baby naturally dies in the womb, sometimes doctors must remove the remains. This is to protect the mother from infection or other serious complications. This isn’t an abortion since the child is already dead.

Medical treatments that could unintentionally kill the baby – This is when a mother may face a serious illness or life-threatening complications which require treatment while the child is in the womb. If possible, doctors try to choose treatments or adjust them in ways that protect the baby, but never to the point of putting the mother’s life in danger.

Some mothers choose something called Heroic Virtue, where they choose to sacrifice their lives for their child. This is not a moral obligation but an act of extraordinary love. Most people do not choose Heroic Virtue. This does not make them immoral or unloving. Remember not to judge these women and give them respect.

Mental Health:

Mental health is often seen as a necessary issue because it was often neglected in the past, and this is true. However, it cannot be a justified reason to kill an unborn child through abortion. Aborting a baby does not truly heal mental health struggles. Instead, it can add the pain of loss while leaving the original problem unsolved.

Some examples of different kinds of help:

With others – Support from family, friends, doctors, therapists or even hotlines.

By yourself – Even if you don’t have anyone, you could try journaling, prayer, setting goals, service to others and maybe even looking for a purpose in life.

Fatal Abnormality and Incest:

Killing babies with fatal abnormalities or those conceived through incest is just a form of eugenics. This means a human’s worth is based on their utility or their function, which is the same logic used to justify discrimination against born people such as the disabled, the sick, or the elderly. It is also important to remember that medical diagnoses are not always correct, so making a life-or-death decision based purely on the unknown is a rash judgment.

Even if the diagnosis is correct/clear or the child is a result of incest, suffering is not necessarily the outcome for these children. Even if you know the child would make your life difficult, that does not justify ending their life. Remember, even a difficult life can be full of joy.

Rape:

Many argue that abortion is justified because rape causes deep trauma to the mother. While it is true that rape does cause trauma, abortion can also cause a secondary source of trauma. In what other case would society say it is okay to punish a child for their father’s crime? None.

Many women fear that if their child resembles the rapist, seeing the child’s face would be painful. But many women see their child as a miracle born out of something evil. If any woman does not want their child, they can always give them up for adoption. We should give support to women and their children instead of harming them, while acknowledging that it can be hard.

Personal and Family Circumstances:

Many women are told that abortion is necessary for their success or happiness. This is false. Abortion does not solve life’s challenges; it is just a cover-up. In these cases, if you really can’t look after your children, there is always foster care, adoption, or support.

Career and Education – The idea that being pregnant would stop you from advancing your career or education is false. Many women balance both. In reality, children are not barriers but hurdles.

Family size and Finances – Some families fear they cannot handle another child because of stress or even financial strain. While these are real issues, how can that justify ending the life of a child? Why is it justified to kill an unborn child but not a born one? It is also important to distinguish between poverty and being broke. Poverty is long-term and often systemic, while being broke is temporary and usually due to bad financial choices.

Conclusion:

Abortion is never truly necessary because in every difficult situation, there are alternatives that may not always be easy. When we look closely, the idea of necessity disappears.