Abortion's Harmful Effects on Parenting Are Severe, Study Says

(July 16, 2009) Abortion is more damaging to the parenting experience than miscarriage or adoption, a top researcher says in a recent study.

Although losing a child before or at birth can be a profound source of suffering, an elective abortion can be "particularly damaging to the parenting process," says Priscilla Coleman of Bowling Green State University, in the May issue of Currrent Women's Health Reviews. Coleman reviewed already published studies on miscarriage, induced abortion and adoption.

The study noted that while all forms of pregnancy loss can cause emotional distress that can impact future parenting, the available research indicates that emotional responses after induced abortion are more likely to go unresolved and to persist for a longer time.

One of the reasons for this is that while sympathy is frequently offered to a woman who has experienced a miscarriage, abortion "is not acknowledged by our culture as a human death experience," and help therefore is usually not offered.

"In many cases, women may suppress thoughts and emotions related to an abortion, because they have not been able to process and or/openly express negative emotions," Coleman wrote.

Coleman's study described various ways that a woman's previous abortion can affect her relationship with her other children:

• Increased depression and anxiety. Clinical depression is a common predictor of child abuse.
• Sleep disorders and disturbances. According to one study, a lack of sleep "could render the high energy demands of parenting more complicated."
• Substance abuse. Studies indicate that induced abortion can lead to substance abuse. Mothers who abuse drugs or alcohol are more likely "to engage in authoritarian and punitive parenting practices."
• Child abuse. Abortion has been associated with lower emotional support for one's children and with a higher risk of child abuse and neglect.

Abortion and Birth Control News is a project of TreeFrogClick, Inc. President, Kevin J. Banet