Psychiatry and the abortion laws: An overview

Abstract

Summary In this review, it has been pointed out that criminal abortions are extremely common in the United States, the number being estimated at between 1,000,000 and 1,500,000 per year, or approximately 3 abortions for every 10 live births. By contrast, only 8,000 abortions per year are performed under medically approved conditions. Reasons for this low figure have been discussed, the chief being restrictive legislation in most states. The arguments for liberalizing these laws have been summarized, including issues related to preventive psychiatry, preventive medicine, poverty, civil liberties, and over-population. Two of the barriers to reform of the law, religious beliefs and psychiatric theories about the alleged harmfulness of abortion, have been discussed. It has been pointed out that many medical and lay organizations have recommended changes in existing laws to allow abortions for a variety of indications related to the health and well-being of mother and child. Although the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association have endorsed liberalization, much work remains to be done by interested professional and lay groups in order to bring about needed legislative changes in 40 states. Considerable research is needed to evaluate the results of changes in abortion laws, and to study the various problems related to the life outcomes of unwanted children.