How Social Stigma Affects Women’s Decisions on Abortion?

Deciding to undergo a pregnancy termination is quite personal for women. However, social stigmas surrounding reproductive health choices, such as an abortion, often impact realities. For instance, a woman willing to end a pregnancy may just have to forgo and continue conception because of shaming by individuals on her call to pursue an abortion. These negative judgments and labelling hamper a woman’s freedom to gain control over her health.

In the United States, abortion healthcare is widely available; however, pervasive influences to make a female feel uncomfortable obtaining the healthcare services are not nonexistent. So, in this blog, we will dig into the impact of social stigma affecting a woman’s decision to choose an abortion.

What is Social Stigma in Regards to Abortion?

When someone is demeaned or shamed because of their behavior or trait that other people think is socially unacceptable, it is called stigma. For a pregnancy termination, stigma includes criticism and stereotyping. The affected female may feel shunned by peers, family, and even medical professionals. Even though ending a pregnancy is a common and safe medical option for women, those who want to have one are often labeled as reckless, immoral, or unsuitable to become mothers.

The fear of being condemned, constant disapproval from loved ones, indirect but harmful comments in social situations, or hurdles like restrictive laws meant to "shame" women into carrying on with pregnancies are some of the ways that abortion stigma comes to light.

Community and Family Ostracizing Women Choosing Abortion

A woman's decisions to keep or end a pregnancy are sometimes influenced by her family, community, and culture. This is based on expectations raised by immediate or faraway family members, partners, etc. Wanting to get an abortion is seen as a rejection of traditional values or even as a sign of dishonoring the family in cultures or homes that associate motherhood with women.

To prevent rejection or a hateful outlook, women in such circumstances may find it difficult to voice their need to end an unintended pregnancy. Sometimes, ideas about morality and responsibility may force younger women to experience more stigma. Those in their early twenties or teenagers are at times subjected to worse criticism, with charges that they were careless and too young to make mature decisions.

In certain societies, having large families is the norm, and women in this setting who choose to end their pregnancies are looked down upon. The guilt carried by females here not only affects them mentally, but also prevents them from making free choices for their health.

No Support from Spouses and Partners

Abortion decisions are not always made by one person alone. A woman's choices can be significantly influenced by her partners, whether they are supportive or not. Supportive partners can reduce the anxiety associated with decision-making and offer a secure environment for dialogue. However, unsupportive or dominant spouses may ridicule women for considering pregnancy termination. They may force women to carry their pregnancies against their wishes.

Women in some situations completely avoid discussing the choice to end pregnancies out of fear of being abandoned or hostility. This can usher feelings of sadness, anxiety, while emotionally damaging them. The associated stigma may make a woman disheartened and continue the pregnancy she wants to let go of.

Discrimination by Healthcare Providers

Stigma exists in the healthcare system as well. This is where women should feel the most supported. Even though many healthcare professionals give compassionate treatment, some may show prejudices through contemptuous comments, incomplete information, or outright disapproval. Women may not reveal important information, put off follow-up care, or even postpone appointments if they feel judged by a provider.

Patients frequently know healthcare professionals personally, which makes them more vulnerable to stigma in rural settings that already have fewer physicians. Women may not seek care altogether because of the unavailability of nonjudgmental services. This can provoke women to use risky techniques to end pregnancies or delay deciding on abortion until it is unsafe to undergo the procedure.

Other deliberate discriminations against women choosing abortion are lengthy waiting times, biased counseling, or laws mandating several visits, which create emotional and other barriers, and elevate the stigmatization of abortion.

The Emotional Impact of Facing Abortion Stigma

Most women who willfully decide to get an abortion often express peace of mind and relief after the procedure. However, if there was a stigma experienced in the journey that becomes the reason for shame, guilt, unhappiness, regret, and emotional troubles after a successful pregnancy termination. Thus, abortion itself may not cause trauma, but the unregulated criticisms and condemnations may do. Many women are unable to rely on their friends or family because they must keep the experience private.

Isolation makes the feeling of shame and mental burden increase. Some people may encounter harsh name-calling and tags from even their loved ones. Even in situations when abortion is lifesaving or necessary to tackle a situation, stigma from people known or unknown may leave the person in a dark place. The abortion itself is not often the end of the emotional toll. Women may completely avoid discussions regarding reproductive health out of fear of being "exposed" later.

How Stigma Shapes Timing and Safety

Because of stigma surrounding pregnancy terminations, medical care essential for women is delayed or not provided. People sometimes have to wait weeks together to get medical guidance because of the fear of being judged and hated. To protect their privacy, some women travel to a distant place where abortion facilities are available.

This proves to be challenging financially, emotionally, and physically for individuals. Delaying care can increase complication risks for women intending to end their pregnancies. This could be due to intentional avoidance of care to cause a natural miscarriage. Thus, stigma is not just a concept but unsafe for health.

To Conclude

Stigma around abortion deprives women of control over their health. It informs people that public morality should guide their private healthcare decisions and that they must exercise judgment to make the best option for their lives. However, when we consider abortion from a human-centered perspective, it is evident that the choice is neither uncommon nor shameful. Rather, it is a medical decision that many women make each year.

Imagine a society in which women could make this decision without worrying about criticism or exclusion, where women could rely on their families and communities without fear of retaliation, and where abortion was discussed as publicly as other medical procedures. Destroying stigma is the first step towards achieving wellness.