Preparing for an informational seminar on the topic of abortion among teens has proven to be an expansive and emotionally charged task. Abortion is a subject that deserves a great deal of attention for ethical, political, medical, as well as philosophical, reasons. The first and most difficult task for this former teen of the ‘80s has been to “get up to speed” with the current facts on this topic.
Allow me to begin sharing my findings by giving you the good news first. Abortion rates among teens are considerably down since the all time high in the 1990’s; 25 percent of this decline has occurred due to an out right reduction of sexual activity among teens. The other 75 percent reduction is attributed to an increase in the effectiveness, as well as variety of methods, of contraceptives for those teens who are sexually active.
The number of abortion providers has also decreased 11 percent since the 1990’s. Currently some 87 percent of U.S. counties lack abortion providers. On the other hand, the number of medical abortions (abortion drug Mifepristone, a.k.a. RU-846) is on a dramatic increase.
In 2000, 9 percent of abortions were preformed by this means. By 2004, this number has swelled to 24 percent. The average cost of a medical abortion is $490, as opposed to $372 for a surgical abortion. By the way, surgical abortions are still among the most common surgical procedure performed in the U.S.
In 2000, 84 teens per 1,000 became pregnant, nationally. In Delaware, that number was a bit higher: 93 per 1,000. Delaware’s laws restrict minors’ access to abortion. However, Delaware law is written so as to define a minor as anyone under 16 years of age. Parental notification is required in Delaware. However, this law is surprisingly avoidable.
A licensed mental health provider may substitute for the parent(s) as long as they are not an employee of an abortion facility, and as long as they explain options, such as keeping the baby or giving it up for adoption. This exception is allowable in events where the minor and mental health care provider are in agreement that it is in the minor’s best interest to waive the parental notification law.
Pro-choice advocates bark that Delaware’s laws are just too restrictive; they also allege that these laws are unconstitutional.
According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, 95 percent of abortions are performed as a means of birth control. The four most common reasons given for terminating a pregnancy have to do with convenience and relationship issues: 25 percent say they want to postpone child bearing; 21 percent say they cannot afford a baby; 14 percent say they have a relationship problem.
This is interesting to note, since it is usually a relationship problem that leads to a teen pregnancy in the first place. And 12 percent say they are too young and that their parents or boyfriend might object. Only 4 percent cite reasons such as rape, incest or risk to maternal health.
Some 59 percent of abortions are performed in the first nine weeks of pregnancy. Only 1.5 percent of abortions are performed after 21 weeks of gestation. The later the abortion, in terms of weeks, the greater the health risks to the mother. Some 58 percent of abortion recipients say they wanted to have their abortion sooner than they did. The most common reasons for delaying an abortion are scraping together the funds, and making arrangements. For these reasons, teens are more likely than adult women to have an abortion after the first trimester of pregnancy.
Public opinion continues to change about this topic. Research sources often contradict one another as well. A recent Gallop Poll cites pro-life opinions to have risen from 33 to 43 percent. Pro-choice opinions declined from 56 to 48 percent. A recent CBS poll revealed that 55 percent of Americans are on the pro-life end of the spectrum. But ultimately, 70 percent of Americans believe that greater restrictions should be placed on abortion.
Options for dealing with an unwanted pregnancy continue to increase as time and technology continue. However, regardless of the choice made regarding an unwanted pregnancy, the consequences linger with the potential mother through her entire life.
Some post abortion patients acquire post traumatic stress syndrome. Many others simply live with depression and remorse due to a decision that can never be revoked. In counseling with adult women, shame and remorse over an abortion that happened even decades ago often comes up. With this in mind, the most important comment I can offer about teen pregnancy is: prevention, prevention, prevention.
It is the goal of DCOG to reach our local teen girls about life-altering issues on a preventative basis. On Sunday, April 29, at 6 p.m., Dagsboro Church of God in Dagsboro, will host another installment of its Mission Possible seminar series for teen girls and their mothers. The title of this upcoming meeting is: “The Distortion of Abortion.”
An author and coordinator of the Sussex Pregnancy Care Center will be sharing up-to-date information, as well as real life stories about this topic. DCOG’s youth group, Acts 2 Crew, will put on a live dramatic performance under the direction of Megan Shipely. I will be concluding the evening with a brief, yet relevant, Biblical perspective on this topic. Perreridge Farm, as well as Cathy Lynch, owner of All About U in Ocean View, are providing door prizes and refreshments.
Looking ahead, on July 22 DCOG will hold a Mission Possible meeting on Internet safety. A local professional will share her story about how an Internet predator abducted a relative of hers out of the country. On Aug. 26, a local woman will share surprising information on the complexity and challenges associated with marriage to a celebrity.
Mission Possible meeting are open to any female 12 or older. Admission is free. Call (302) 732-6550 or e-mail MissionPossibleMin@myway.com for more information.