An insider look into the many claims made in the Just 2°
Claim #1:
Over 41.6 Million abortions took place in 2003, worldwide.
. . . That's more than the population of Canada.
According to a 2005 report by AGI and WHO, 41.6 million abortions took place worldwide in 2003, down from 45.6 million in 1995. (1)
As of October 2012, the official population estimate of Canada was at 35,002,447. (2)
UPDATE: According to new data (published 2008), 43.8 million abortions were performed worldwide. (3)
That's more than 2.5 times the populations of New York,
Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia combined!
(1) Data obtained from Alan Guttmacher Institute, World Health Organization.
(2) http://www.statcan.gc.ca/start-debut-eng.html
(3) Sedgh G. Et Al "Induced Abortions Worldwide in 2008: Levels and Trends" Lancet 2012
(4) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_urban_areas_by_population
As of October 2012, the official population estimate of Canada was at 35,002,447. (2)
UPDATE: According to new data (published 2008), 43.8 million abortions were performed worldwide. (3)
That's more than 2.5 times the populations of New York,
Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia combined!
(1) Data obtained from Alan Guttmacher Institute, World Health Organization.
(2) http://www.statcan.gc.ca/start-debut-eng.html
(3) Sedgh G. Et Al "Induced Abortions Worldwide in 2008: Levels and Trends" Lancet 2012
(4) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_urban_areas_by_population
Claim #2: In the United States 1 in 10 women will have had an abortion by the time she is 20, 1 in 4 by the time she is 30 and 1 in 3 by the time she is 45.
According to the Guttmacher Institute, "At least half of American women will experience an uninteded pregnancy by age 45, and at current rates, one in 10 women will have an abortion by age 20, one in four by age 30 and one in three by age 45." (5)
When considering California, the Guttmacher Institute states that "Abortion is a Common Experience." In 2008 24% of all Calfornia pregnancies ended in an induced abortion. (6)
(5) Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2011 "Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States"
(6) Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2011 "State Facts About Abortion: California"
When considering California, the Guttmacher Institute states that "Abortion is a Common Experience." In 2008 24% of all Calfornia pregnancies ended in an induced abortion. (6)
(5) Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2011 "Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States"
(6) Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2011 "State Facts About Abortion: California"
CLaim #3: Post ABortive Women can be found in nearly every race, religion, culture, economic level, and age* range.
(*Taking into consideration women of and beyond childbearing age who have previously had an abortion.)
Abortion does not discriminate, and while there are specific trends on who the majority of those obtaining an abortion are ("risk factors") it does not make anyone invulnerable.
RACE: The largest group having abortions are non-Hispanic white women (36%). Black and Hispanic women together make up more than half (55%).
RELIGION: 37% of women obtaining abortions identify as Protestant, 28% as Catholic and 7% as another religious group.
CULTURE: 15% of women obtaining an abortion are married, 85% unmarried. 61% have one or more children.
ECONOMIC: 31% of women earn above the poverty level while the rest (69%) are considered to be economically disadvantaged. On average, women give three reasons as to why they cannot have a baby: interfere with school/work (75%), can't afford a baby (75%) and some fear being a single parent or cite relationship issues with their husband or partner (50%).
AGE: While more than half (58%) of women obtaining an abortion are in their 20's, women from 14-45 ("childbearing age") have received an abortion.
(7) Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2011, "Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States"
Abortion does not discriminate, and while there are specific trends on who the majority of those obtaining an abortion are ("risk factors") it does not make anyone invulnerable.
RACE: The largest group having abortions are non-Hispanic white women (36%). Black and Hispanic women together make up more than half (55%).
RELIGION: 37% of women obtaining abortions identify as Protestant, 28% as Catholic and 7% as another religious group.
CULTURE: 15% of women obtaining an abortion are married, 85% unmarried. 61% have one or more children.
ECONOMIC: 31% of women earn above the poverty level while the rest (69%) are considered to be economically disadvantaged. On average, women give three reasons as to why they cannot have a baby: interfere with school/work (75%), can't afford a baby (75%) and some fear being a single parent or cite relationship issues with their husband or partner (50%).
AGE: While more than half (58%) of women obtaining an abortion are in their 20's, women from 14-45 ("childbearing age") have received an abortion.
(7) Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2011, "Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States"
CLAIM #4: They have permeated Society...
They are within our communities and churches
Post-Abortive women are everywhere. Much like claim #3 there may be "risk factors" that make up the majority, but any one group can be vulnerable. Abortion breaks all the stereotypes.
Only 6% of the women surveyed earned less than a high school diploma. 39% hold a high school diploma, 26% hold an associates degree or trade certificate, 19% earned a Bachelor degree 4% earned a Masters, and 1% earned a PhD Degree. (8)
They are mothers (61%). They are within our community and our churches. 73% of women who have obtained an abortion identify with a religious affiliation. 65% identify as Christian (Catholic or Protestant). (9)
(8) David C. Reardon, PhD, Elliot Institute "Psychological Reactions Reported After Abortion"
(9) Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2011, "Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States"
Only 6% of the women surveyed earned less than a high school diploma. 39% hold a high school diploma, 26% hold an associates degree or trade certificate, 19% earned a Bachelor degree 4% earned a Masters, and 1% earned a PhD Degree. (8)
They are mothers (61%). They are within our community and our churches. 73% of women who have obtained an abortion identify with a religious affiliation. 65% identify as Christian (Catholic or Protestant). (9)
(8) David C. Reardon, PhD, Elliot Institute "Psychological Reactions Reported After Abortion"
(9) Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2011, "Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States"
CLAIM #5: Post Abortion Syndrome is a serious condition,
and for many women it hurts long after.
Time and time again, women open up about their abortion, sometimes years after. While "Post Abortion Syndrome" is not a term that has been accepted by the American Psychiatric Association, its symptoms are compared to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
In a study of post-abortive women, 92.6% of women had feelings of guilt, 91% shame, 88.2% Depression, 81.4% Anxiety, 80.8% Anger, 39.2% had a general sense of emptiness and 46.4% had nightmares. 38.6% reported developing an eating disorder after their abortion. 36.5% reported drinking, 27.1% considered themselves alcoholic. 40.6% reported drug use, 25.5% considered themselves addicted. Of the 55.8% who reported having suicidal feelings, 28.2% actually attempted suicide.
The one positive emotion that most women reported was that of initial relief, but 40-60% reported negative reactions within 8 weeks after their abortions. A study completed by University of Oslo, researchers compared 40 women who had had a miscarriage with 80 who chose to have an abortion. Miscarriage was associated with more mental distress in the six months after the loss of a baby - but abortion had a much longer lasting negative effect, ultimately leaving a "mental legacy".
95% of these women indicated that they were not satisfied with their choice, and would not have another abortion. 94% stated that there were negative psychological effects they attribute to their abortions.
(10) David C. Reardon, PhD, Elliot Institute "Psychological Reactions Reported After Abortion"
In a study of post-abortive women, 92.6% of women had feelings of guilt, 91% shame, 88.2% Depression, 81.4% Anxiety, 80.8% Anger, 39.2% had a general sense of emptiness and 46.4% had nightmares. 38.6% reported developing an eating disorder after their abortion. 36.5% reported drinking, 27.1% considered themselves alcoholic. 40.6% reported drug use, 25.5% considered themselves addicted. Of the 55.8% who reported having suicidal feelings, 28.2% actually attempted suicide.
The one positive emotion that most women reported was that of initial relief, but 40-60% reported negative reactions within 8 weeks after their abortions. A study completed by University of Oslo, researchers compared 40 women who had had a miscarriage with 80 who chose to have an abortion. Miscarriage was associated with more mental distress in the six months after the loss of a baby - but abortion had a much longer lasting negative effect, ultimately leaving a "mental legacy".
95% of these women indicated that they were not satisfied with their choice, and would not have another abortion. 94% stated that there were negative psychological effects they attribute to their abortions.
(10) David C. Reardon, PhD, Elliot Institute "Psychological Reactions Reported After Abortion"
Everyone is Affected by Abortion
“One decision, one single moment, can have such a detrimental impact on so many people, living and dead, born and yet to be conceived.” ~ Melissa Ohden
Just 2°. Abortion does affect everyone.
Just 2°. Abortion does affect everyone.