There Are Differences Between the Psychological Affects of Abortion on Adolescent Girls Than on Adult Women

Adolescents are thought to be at greater psychological risk because they psychically maturing, dealing with emotions, influenced by peer groups, and developing sexual limitations (Quinton 3). There is no evidence to support the theory that adolescents make poorer decisions about abortion than adults ( Stotland 29). It is believed that most adults do not mature past their adolescent stage of reasoning ( Stotland 29).

A survey in the U.S. showed that unplanned pregnancy is a serious problem primarily in adolescents ( Eshleman 398). There are approximately 1 million teenagers in the united states and almost half of them will experience either an abortion or miscarriage (Wheeler 1). As result to unplanned pregnancies adolescents tend to show a decline in moral standards and lack of education (Eshleman 398). Study not only shows that adolescents do not show any major psychological differences than adults but are also more likely to graduate high school than adolescents who follow though with pregnancy (McCormick 1).

In a study done to examine psychological factors to predict reactions to abortion, results found that there were no psychological or differences in attitudes based on age ranging from 14-35 (Moseley 277). An evaluation 1 month after abortion found that minors were less satisfied with their decision than adults however, 2 years post abortion results showed that they were not more depressed than adults (Quinton 1). Pope's article supports Quinton's finding by stating that the only major difference was adolescents showed less comfort with their decision directly after the procedure (Pope 2). There is no evidence that abortion threatens an adolescent psychologically, thus disproving the courts reasoning for the cut-off age of 18 (Pope 2). Mojapelo-Batka's article contradicts this information by saying that adolescents differ from adults because of needs of social acceptance, dependence on their parents, and the stigma or teen pregnancy (Mojapelo-Batka 145).

Studies show differences in psychological effects 1 month post abortion (Quinton 491). Adolescents experience anxiety, denial, and poor reality-testing 1 month post abortion (Franz 2). Adolescents often express more signs of regret directly after abortion than adults (Pope 1). Most women report that they feel mostly relieved after the procedure (Stotland 28). Quinton's study found that adolescents mostly use avoidant coping techniques and perceived a greater parental conflict (Quinton 1). Although Wheeler's study confirmed Franz's symptoms the article also suggests that adolescents also experience shock and yearning for their infant (Wheeler 3). Women who have an abortion in their adolescents often report that the memory of the abortion fades over time (Reardon 1). Some women however, may experience reactions to the abortion long after the experience is over, the condition is defined as posttraumatic stress disorder (Franz 2).

Adolescents who feel that they made the decision to have an abortion with out pressure from their parents are less likely to experience negative reactions (Oslen 2). Women who feel pressured by their partners experience increased possibility for negative responses (Oslen 2).

Although there are no differences in the amount of depression an adolescent goes through as apposed to an adult, adolescents experiences are different than adults. This is explained through adolescents need for social approval and acceptance ( Mojapelo-Batka 145).

Adolescents may try coping with whatever grief they may feel by Avoidance, repression, suppression, and denial (Faure 29). Some

adolescents may have a rapid repeat pregnancy to replace the loss of the aborted child (Wheeler 3).

Women who have difficulties before the abortion generally continue to have them after the abortion (Stotland 28). Women who have abortions because of medical or genetic reasons are at a greater risk for negative reactions to the abortion (Stotland 28). Stotland also finds that for someone women the regret of abortion can be so great that they seriously contemplate suicide (Stotland 30).

Oslen suggests that how the female handles the abortion is decided by their intentions, attitudes, beliefs, and various personal characteristics (Oslen 1).

One reason a female may choose to have an abortion is that it clashes with their family planning. Family planning includes deciding if the female wants children, how many she wants and when she wants to have them (Eshleman 78).

Adolescents and adults may choose to have an abortion because

they are not ready to fill the role that is required as a mother set by their society, subculture, and family( Eshleman 286). The mother's role is seen as the primary caregiver of the child (Eshleman 394).

The conflict theory suggests that people are more shaped by their location and the social system than they are by their own personal emotions (Eshleman 117). This theory suggestions that a female may have an abortion because of what the social system is like in her location.

Familism which is the Idea that the families interests is more important than the individual's needs or interests suggests that an individual may have an abortion because they feel that it will be best for their family even if it is not what they want (Eshleman 602).

Women living in poverty may be more inclined to abortion because of the financial needs of children (Eshleman 152).

Some females may make the decision of abortion because they lack education which restricts their abilities thus making raising a family difficult (Eshleman 61).

An abortion may be had because the female does not want to marry the father and does not want the child to interfere with their future relationships (Eshleman 370).

A woman who has become impregnated as result of date rape may have an abortion because they do not what to bare that person's child or because they are not ready for a child (Eshleman 524).

If giving birth to a child endangers the mother's health she may choose to have an abortion (Eshleman 243).

If the women is infected with AIDS she may decide to have an abortion to omit the possibility of spreading it to her offspring (Eshleman 333).

The thesis that adolescent girls are affected different

psychologically than adult women was disproved. Adolescent do not suffer psychologically more than adult women.