Psychological Effects Of Abortion Deserve 'New Dialogue,' Editorial Says

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 15 Oct 2008 - 10:00 PDT

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Although it is "well-known" that a woman has choices when she is pregnant, "what is not fully known ... is that each of these choices has long-term effects for both the parents," a Washington Times editorial says, adding, "An abortion, much like" carrying a pregnancy to term or choosing adoption, is "not consequence-free." According to the editorial, abortion-rights advocates are "still in denial that there is a mental health impact" associated with the procedure, and many members of the scientific community "insist there is no proof of a causal relationship between abortion and mental health problems." The editorial concludes that "the dialogue on abortion can benefit from a fresh perspective: The discussion should not be centered solely on whether girls and women should be permitted to have an abortion. Women must fully grasp that abortion actually causes mental health problems" (Washington Times, 10/14).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

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