Reasons women give for abortion: a review of the literature

Abstract

The aim was to identify from empirical research that used quantitative or qualitative methods the reasons women give for having an abortion. A search was conducted of peer-reviewed, English language publications indexed in eight computerized databases with publication date 1996-2008, using keywords 'abortion' and 'reason' (Medline: 'induced abortion' OR 'termination of pregnancy' OR 'elective abortion' and 'reason'). Inclusion criteria were empirical research on humans that identified women's reasons for undergoing an abortion, conducted in 'high-income' countries. 19 eligible papers were found. Despite variation in methods of generating, collecting, and analysing reasons, and the inadequacy of methodological detail in some papers, all contributed to a consistent picture of the reasons women give for having an abortion, with three main categories ('Woman-focused', 'Other-focused', and 'Material') identified. Ambivalence was often evident in women's awareness of reasons for continuing the pregnancy, but abortion was chosen because continuing with the pregnancy was assessed as having adverse effects on the life of the woman and significant others. Women's reasons were complex and contingent, taking into account their own needs, a sense of responsibility to existing children and the potential child, and the contribution of significant others, including the genetic father.

The timing of abortions, births, and union dissolutions in Finland

“…Interestingly , the effect w as stronge r for divorce than it w as for dissolution of a cohabiting union. If union dissolution is an indicator of problems in the relationship in the period preceding the dissolution, the finding is consistent with previous studies that show that having relationship problems is a commonly cited reason for having an abortion (Bankole, Singh, and Haas 1998;Chibber et al 2014;Finer et al 2005;Kirkman et al 2009). Women in relationships that are likely to dissolve soon may be less likely to want children due to the added cost of breaking up if children are involved (Lillard and Waite 1993), and thus are more likely to terminate an unintended pregnancy than those in a stable relationship.…”

“…I expect decisions regarding pregnancy terminations and union transitions to be driven to a certain extent by the same factors, because relationship problems are a commonly cited reason for an abortion (Bankole, Singh, and Haas 1998;Chibber et al 2014;Finer et al 2005;Kirkman et al 2009). A woman may choose an abortion if she perceives her relationship to be too problematic, too new, or too unstable, if her partner is abusive, or if she perceives him to be unsuitable or unwilling to be a father (Chibber et al 2014;Kirkman et al 2009).…”

“…A woman may choose an abortion if she perceives her relationship to be too problematic, too new, or too unstable, if her partner is abusive, or if she perceives him to be unsuitable or unwilling to be a father (Chibber et al 2014;Kirkman et al 2009). Almost four in ten women seeking abortions in the United States reported relationship problems as the reason for abortion.…”

“…The costs of childbearing for young women may be great if they have not yet completed their education, formed stable partnerships, or had time to accumulate economic resources (Becker 1991;Hansen et al 2009;Kreyenfeld 2010;Oppenheimer 1994;Väisänen and Murphy 2014). Some women are concerned that a new child will deprive existing children of parental and economic resources (Finer et al 2005;Kirkman et al 2009). …”

“…A shortcoming of previous studies is that due to underreporting of induced abortions (from now on 'abortions'), they were not able to take pregnancy terminations into account, even though doing so would have provided more information about the dynamics of union dissolution and fertility behaviour (Berrington 2001;Leone and Hinde 2007;Steele et al 2005). This is an important gap in the literature, as relationship problems are among the most common reasons women give for having an abortion (Bankole, Singh, and Haas 1998;Chibber et al 2014;Finer et al 2005;Kirkman et al 2009). This implies there are factors that drive both processes, the decision to end or continue a romantic relationship and the decision to have an abortion.…”