Abortion Must be an Option for Parents of Disabled Children

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Abstract Certain reasons and factors should allow women carrying children with physical and mental disabilities the choice of abortion with them knowing that they cannot fully provide for their children emotionally, financially and even physically. This report discusses these reasons and their implications; justifies the need for the action that is considered “murder” in most societies and sheds light on the hard truth for those few who have been dealt with the unfortunate situation of having children with special needs. It is discussed here that women should be given the choice of abortion due to the financial cost of bringing up the child, the effect the disability will bring into the child’s life and also the impact of the child’s disability on the family. What is explained here will further answer the question, “what if my child had never been born?” 1.0 Introduction What is abortion? According to Medicine.net (2010), Abortion is generally defined as the premature exit of the products of conception from the body and the loss of pregnancy. A disorder, on the other hand, is defined as a derangement or abnormality of function; a morbid physical or mental state. In all aspects, a child brought into this world should be treated with care and love. All children should feel wanted by their parents. However, the number of cases of which unwanted children being given up at orphanages is saddening. Even more shocking is the revelation that some of these unfortunate children bear disabilities that would impair the quality of their lives. The prospects of adoption for these children seem to be slim. Hence, the burning question remains : should women conceiving children with known physical and mental d... ... middle of paper ... ...ving in Private Households”. OPCS Surveys of Disability in Great Britain. Report 5. London :HMSO viewed 7th April 2010, 13. Dobson, B, Middleton, S, Beardsworth, A (2001), ‘The Impact of Childhood Disability On Family Life’, York Publishing Services Ltd, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, viewed on 5th April 2010, 14. Powell, T. H., & Ogle, P. A. (1985). ‘Brothers & sisters: A special part of exceptional families’. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing, viewed on 7th April 2010, http://openlibrary.org/b/OL2857325M/Brothers_sisters--a_special_part_of_exceptional_families 15. Stirof S, Stirof B, (2010), ‘The Impact of a Disabled Child on Your Marriage’, viewed on 5th April 2010,

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