Arguments Against Conception

Conception refers to impregnation or fertilisation after sexual intercourse, a stage before pregnancy takes place. There are many ways to prevent conception with artificial contraception such as condoms, the contraceptive pill, intrauterine devices, and male or female sterilization. However, many people are strongly against the use of contraception as they believe that life begins at impregnation or fertilisation, thus they see preventing conception as being morally and ethically wrong. Contrast to these beliefs, I feel that preventing contraception is ethical. This is because having a child may put a woman’s life at risk, and it is unethical for a family to conceive children they know they will not be able to support. Preventing conception

According to a report in January 2017 by Cable News Network, an American cable and satellite television news channel, it cost a middle-income married couple an estimated amount of USD 233 610 to raise a child born in 2015 – this number only covers the costs from birth to when the child is 17, hence excluding university expenses. This means that families would expect to spend between USD 12 350 to almost 14 000 annually on raising a child. Clearly, raising children is not cheap and may not necessarily be affordable for every family. If a couple is barely able to provide for the two of themselves, all the more will they not be able to provide good standards of living and quality of life for a new member. By preventing conception, couples and young women are able to continue on with their careers or education without unwanted children becoming a liability. Families that are financially unstable can reduce the chances of accidental pregnancy and possibly have children at a later point in their lives, when they may be more prepared or well-off to give the child prospects in life. In this way, the sacrifice made when preventing conception is the possible birth of a child, but such a sacrifice can lead to greater good as the family can then choose a better time to conceive, such that they will be cable of giving the child a better quality of life. Hence, preventing conception can be ethical if done with the good intentions in