The purpose of the study was to investigate how Irish pro-choice organizations work in respect of free choice in relation to abortion, since abortion is illegal except when there is a substantial risk to the mother’s life. This purpose was constructed with the significance of social work as a practical profession restricted by regulations, at the same time as it is a profession to support and help deprived people. This was a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews with seven different people from five different pro-choice organizations. The interviews indicated that in Ireland abortion was a stigmatized matter, as well as taboo to talk about. The results showed that the pro- choice organizations work to provide support and information and they viewed the right to abortion as a fundamental right and that women going through crisis pregnancy should be able to access a free choice. Still, it is the stigmatizing environment as well as the existing laws that become an obstacle for accessing free choice.

This study focuses on the lived experience of four women who have undergone induced abortions. The women are white, Afrikaans speaking and from a middle to upper class background. Their ages range from 38 to 45 years. It was expected that these women would reflect and articulate their experiences in their own ways. This study was therefore of a qualitative nature. More specifically, the methodology used was a phenomenological exploration of the lived experience of each woman. The primary aim of this study was, therefore, to understand the experiences of women who have undergone induced abortions, using a qualitative form of enquiry. The acknowledgement of abortion as a potentially ambivalent experience allows one to consider the abortion process as complex, and that different women in different contexts will have both unique and common reactions to abortion. This study utilized theories of motherhood, gender and reproduction to explore the various contexts. The themes of guilt, isolation and anger that emerged were experienced by all the women, but each one not only experienced them differently but also contextualized them differently. Some general suggestions for future research are offered: exploring the different ways in which women deal with this situation could be helpful in working with those who might present with psychological symptoms. This would be particularly helpful to the role which psychologists could play in dealing with women who have undergone an abortion. The importance of support and acceptance is highlighted in this study. With the change in legislation regarding abortion, it would be helpful to consider the attitudes of the health professionals who may encounter women having abortions. In addition it is important to consider post-abortion counselling. Post abortion feelings could be normalized by explaining to women that reactions are not uni-dimensional and that positive and negative reactions are to be expected. As stated, some women do experience negative symptoms post-abortion and more research is needed to examine in depth the experience of these women. Longitudinal studies and narrative research could be beneficial in this regard. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

The number of women accessing Termination of Pregnancy Services has increased in South Africa over the last 15 years. Lieberman and Davis (1992), hold that a woman’s right to choose is embedded in the principles of social work that is self-determination, empowerment and dignity. It is a social workers responsibility to ensure that the options are available to the clients. If a client is unable to choose from an array of alternatives it is because social workers have failed to provide them with the necessary information, therefore there can be no self-determination. Women who receive health care from public facilities usually cannot afford health care from a private physician and the ability of women to make informed decisions is based on the degree of information that is made available to them. In this study the researcher looks at the road travelled in order to make the decision to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. The process of data collection was a comprehensive, intensive process. Underpinned by the ecosystems theory, the qualitative exploratory research design was used for this research.Data was obtained through interviews from a purposeful sample of sixteen young women that attended the TOP (Termination of Pregnancy) Clinic at the research site, ranging from the ages of 18 to 35 years. This approach allowed the researcher to understand the processes and persons involved in making this decision. The assumption underlying this study was that the decision to terminate a pregnancy is a difficult one and often made with little or no support, education or guidance. The outcome of this study confirmed this assumption. The findings revealed that young woman accessing TOP services often choose TOP in isolation with limited knowledge and support from significant others. Some women requesting TOP may not want counselling but do need it. The need for counselling is stronger for those with strong religious beliefs and those that have little or no support systems. Based on the outcome of the analysis, recommendations were made with regard to the need for holistic counselling to be an integral component in health services rendered to women, with unintended pregnancies. Counseling whilst optional should be made compulsory such that a person can cope with the physical and psychological effects of an unwanted pregnancy should they decide to terminate or keep the pregnancy. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Recently, some in the anti-abortion movement have begun to assert that abortion harms women and access to abortion should be restricted or prohibited to protect women’s rights. This paper suggests that woman-protective anti-abortion (“WPA”) arguments could become more recognizable in Canada if other kinds of woman-protective legislation are adopted. In particular, this paper focuses on private member’s Bill C-510, an Act to Prevent Coercion of Pregnant Women to Abort (Roxanne’s Law). This paper suggests that Bill C-510 is problematic because its differential treatment of women reinforces historical stereotypes of motherhood and female vulnerability, the same stereotypes upon which the WPA relies. By reinforcing these same stereotypes, Bill C- 510 creates a climate in which WPA restrictions on access to abortion appear more reasonable. The paper concludes by suggesting that the existing aggravated circumstances sentencing sections in the Criminal Code already provide judges with discretionary powers to deal with offences like coerced abortion.

Recently, some in the anti-abortion movement have begun to assert that abortion harms women and access to abortion should be restricted or prohibited to protect women’s rights. This paper suggests that woman-protective anti-abortion (“WPA”) arguments could become more recognizable in Canada if other kinds of woman-protective legislation are adopted. In particular, this paper focuses on private member’s Bill C-510, an Act to Prevent Coercion of Pregnant Women to Abort (Roxanne’s Law). This paper suggests that Bill C-510 is problematic because its differential treatment of women reinforces historical stereotypes of motherhood and female vulnerability, the same stereotypes upon which the WPA relies. By reinforcing these same stereotypes, Bill C- 510 creates a climate in which WPA restrictions on access to abortion appear more reasonable. The paper concludes by suggesting that the existing aggravated circumstances sentencing sections in the Criminal Code already provide judges with discretionary powers to deal with offences like coerced abortion.

Šiame darbe yra gvildenama abortu legitimumo problema iš pradžių apžvelgiant pačią aborto sąvoką ir atsiradimo istoriją. Platesnė šios problemos analizė pateikiama žmogaus gyvybės kaip absoliučios vertybės, taip pat ir žmogaus privatumo kaip vertybės atžvilgiu. Čia bandoma išdėstyti katalikiškąją bei filosofinę pozicijas, pasisakančias už žmogaus gyvybės vertę bei saugojimą nuo pradėjimo momento. Apžvelgiamos ir priešingos koncepcijos, moters teise į abortą priskiriančios prie privačių interesų. Šių vertybių santykio kolizija analizuojama tiek Europos Sąjungos viršnacionalinės, tiek ir kai kurių Europos valstybių nacionalinės teisės lygmenyje. Atskirai nagrinėjama Lietuvos bei Jungtinių Amerikos Valstijų pozicija sprendžiant abortų legitimumo problema. / In this work the problem of legitimacy of abortions is analyzed by reviewing, first of all, the definition of abortion and history of its’ occurrence. Wider analysis of this problem is given from the point of view of human life as an absolute value as well as human privacy as a value. Herein it is tried to set forth catholic and philosophic positions that speak for the value of human life and its preservation since the moment of its’ beginning. Opposite conceptions that attribute woman’s right to abortion to private interests are also reviewed. Collision of relation between these values is analyzed in the level of supernational law of the European Union as well as in the level of national law of certain European states. Position of Lithuania and the United States of America in solution of the problem of abortion legitimacy is analyzed separately.

This study entitled "Hinduism and Abortion: A Traditional View" outlines what the Hindu Smriti and Shruti texts have to contribute in the abortion debate. It is important to consider what an ancient tradition, Hinduism, has to contribute with regard to a modern controversy. The study undertakes a cursory look at bioethics and then proceeds to examine the Hindu world view and the Hindu view of the unborn. The important Hindu teachings with regard to dharma, kama, the ashrama dharma system, the samskaras and karma and reincarnation are considered in some detail. The unborn is considered not only in terms of its embryological development but also in terms of its social and spiritual significance. This study concludes that Hinduism is opposed to abortion except in certain very specific circumstances, for example, severe congenital abnormalities in the foetus, where the continued pregnancy is life-threatening for the mother, rape and incest. The traditional Hindu standpoint is pro-life and the Hindu scriptures provide a comprehensive and multi-faceted argument against abortion. The foetus is considered sacrosanct from the moment of conception. The view arrived at in this study is that the foetus is a person with rights, and abortion is a violation of those rights. Abortion is considered to be murder. An important and salient contribution from a Hindu perspective is the fact that the foetus is a bio-psycho-socio-cosmological and spiritual being and as such the abortion debate transcends individual ethics thus raising important social and cosmological concerns. Hinduism has much to contribute to the abortion debate and many of the Hindu teachings cited in the study are relevant for today. Celibacy, the Hindu view that the sexual act ought to be seen as a deeply spiritual act, the emphasis on the Ashrama Dharma system and ahimsa are important principles that need to be emphasized to face the challenges of the increasing demand for abortions. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

Bakgrund: Abort innebär att graviditeten av olika skäl avbryts. En abort kan vara spontan eller inducerad, och den kan ske antingen medicinskt eller kirurgiskt. Sjuksköterskans roll vid en abort är att stötta kvinnan genom hela processen. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att undersöka sjuksköterskans attityder och upplevelser av omvårdnadsarbetet med kvinnor som genomgår en abort samt vilka faktorer som påverkar dessa. Metod: Studien är en litteraturstudie med deskriptiv design. Studien är baserad på 13 vetenskapliga artiklar som har sökts fram genom databaserna Cinahl och PubMed. Resultat: Denna litteraturstudie visade inte på några entydiga attityder hos sjuksköterskan vad gäller abort. Sjuksköterskan kunde känna skuld, depression och skam. Men det fanns även stolthet i arbetet och sjuksköterskan kunde känna sig glad och nöjd över att få hjälpa till att stärka kvinnors rättigheter. Något som tydligt framgick i många artiklar är att en sjuksköterska som arbetar med en kvinna som genomgår en abort måste acceptera kvinnans val och lägga sina egna känslor och åsikter åt sidan. Religion och tradition har ett väldigt stort inflytande på sjuksköterskans attityd och upplevelse av arbetet med kvinnor som genomgår abort. Ytterligare en tydlig aspekt var att ju senare aborten var, desto svårare hade sjuksköterskan att hantera aborten samt fostret efteråt. Diskussion och reflektion tillsammans med andra kollegor var även något som var önskvärt. Det hjälpte då sjuksköterskan att bearbeta arbetet.Slutsats: Sjuksköterskor som arbetar med abort måste få professionellt stöd och fortlöpande utbildning för att kunna utföra ett bra arbete i att stödja kvinnan som genomgår en sådan känslig upplevelse. / Background: Abortion means that you terminate the pregnancy for various reasons. An abortion can either be spontaneous or induced, and it can either be medical or surgical. The nurse’s role in abortion care is to support the woman during the process. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the nurse’s attitudes and experiences of the nursing work with women who undergo an abortion and the factors that influence these. Method: This study is a literature review with a descriptive design. The study is based on 13 scientific articles that have been found by the databases Cinahl and PubMed. Results: This study did not show on any clear-cut attitudes of nurses regarding abortion. The nurse could feel guilt, depression and shame. But there was also pride in the work and the nurse could feel happy and pleased to help the women strengthen the women’s rights. Something that clearly could be seen in many articles was that a nurse working with a woman who underwent an abortion must accept the woman’s choice and put their own feelings and opinions aside. Religion and tradition had a very large influence on the nurse’s attitudes and experience of working with women who underwent an abortion. Another distinct aspect was that the later the abortion was, the harder it was for the nurses to deal with the abortion and the fetus afterwards. Discussion and reflection together with other colleagues was also something that was desirable. It helped when the nurse to process the work. Summary: Nurses who work with abortion must receive professional support and ongoing training to do a good job in supporting the women who undergoes such a sensitive experience.

Photocopy of typescript. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1979. / Bibliography: leaves 109-112. / x, 112 leaves ill. 29 cm

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.