Utilitarianism and Illegal Abortions Essay Example

Introduction

Illegal abortions have been going on in all parts of the world despite restrictions from governments. Many mothers have procured abortions notwithstanding the risks involved because of different outcomes that may make them happy after the act is fulfilled. Under the utilitarian approach, abortion should be done because of reasons that make the mother happy rather than bringing a child to the world who will make bring trouble to the mother and society at large. The mother's wishes in the utilitarian system are given a certain weight thus willingly aborts a fetus, which will result in the happiness for the most significant number of individuals in the society. This paper is going to discuss the fact that regardless of anything, women are having illegal abortions with arguments based on the greatest happiness principle.

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Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that is focused on the determination of right and wrong of an outcome (Auth 460). It is geared toward the most ethical choice that will yield the greatest good for the most significant number. Despite this approach being reason-based in the determination of right and wrong, it holds poor prediction of the future hence it is difficult to tell if the results of action will be bad or good. Also, utilitarianism poses trouble in accounting for values such as individual rights and justice. This theory defines utility as the absence of pain thus follows the greatest happiness principle which considers action as moral if they support happiness and deter sadness (Rieder 44).

Firstly, utilitarianism supports illegal abortions because it argues that if a potential mother is not able to help and take care of the future child, then this will bring misery to the mother when such a child is born. According to this theory, an illegal abortion should be procured to reduce the financial drain on the mother and society by averting child support because children from such mothers will need financial provision from government programs like welfare. Utilitarianism supports the abortion of fetuses as this will create happiness for the mother and the society in general (Baujard 2). If the mother is not able to care for the fetus, then government resources would be used for catering the welfare of the child in basic things such as housing, food, and education which becomes expensive for the state. An abortion is inevitable so that the government saves money for use in other projects that will make the entire people in the nation happy.

Secondly, a utilitarian argues that illegal abortion is advantageous to the mother because termination of an unwanted pregnancy creates few unloved children and unhappy parents in the society. Eliminating the fetus would be beneficial for the mother as she does not have to worry about a child whom she does not want. A utilitarian may argue that a pregnant mother is prone to bad consequence such as job loss and other opportunities due to a continued pregnancy which may bring sorrow for the mother. Because of these eventualities, an abortion would be morally right as this would make the mother happy as well as the society. Additionally, the unloved child may suffer in the future thus becomes a burden for the mother and the society hence an abortion for a utilitarian is a solution that would serve for the greater good for many. Utilitarianism also argues that having babies tend to lead to diminished happiness in a family, hence abortion is mandatory (Roopnarine, Patte and Johnson 211). It does not see the prenatal organism as a source of joy and is devoid of rational and cognitive thought hence does not have any rights, an argument which guarantees an abortion.

Moreover, a utilitarian argues that if an unwanted baby is born, it may have to grow up in an orphanage where conditions are poor if no adoption is available. For a utilitarian, an orphanage is not a secure place for a child as the conditions are not optimum for a perfect growth hence abortion is an option (Laura and Munsch 363). Children in orphanages are exposed to neglect and boredom, inadequate feeding, and may starve since no one is available to feed them. The government provides funds for these children, but they do not find a sanctuary in orphanages. In such conditions, the mother and the child are going through pain which contradicts the core of utilitarianism which seeks the most magnificent decent for the highest number of people. For happiness to abound, a utilitarian argues for the pursuance of happiness by the mother through abortion to avert the pain that the child undergoes in an orphanage.

Lastly, utilitarianism claim that there is a high chance that a fetus may grow to be a criminal that causes grievous harm to the people in the society hence should be terminated. The benefits of such a child to all the stakeholders in the community and on the level of an individual do not serve the highest good while at the same time creating a maximum amount of harm and is a source of greatest suffering for most people. A utilitarian makes a judgment of the potential damage caused by a child based on the interest of every entity in the society. Also, a consideration for abortion is mandated by the high number of people that are prone to harm and suffering if a child is born, raised, and becomes a criminal. According to a utilitarian, an illegal abortion is a reasonable option because is it ethically right as it produces the best results and balance of benefits over harm for most entities in the society. A utilitarian sees these outcomes based on suffering that the fetus may bring to the society and the contentment among the stakeholders in the community if the fetus is eliminated. Also, a utilitarian supports abortion with reasoned arguments such as the value of the mother's preference, a monitory loss that such a child would bring to the society and the government, and short as well as long-term effects if the pregnancy is not terminated.

Conclusion

In conclusion, illegal abortion among women is an activity that is ongoing the world today. Women procure illegal abortions because of different reasons. A utilitarian approach to illegal abortions justifies the reasons why women are forced to terminate pregnancies. For a utilitarian, a woman should procure an illegal abortion if she is not able to take care of the child and provide a good future for the child as this would bring misery to the mother. Also, an unwanted pregnancy may bring an unloved child to the world which makes the mother and the society unhappy, and a child may be forced to grow up in an orphanage with poor conditions if no adoption is available. Lastly, a fetus may grow to become a criminal who causes harm to the people in the society. The options given are based on the assessment of a utilitarian who sees the outcomes that will bring the greatest good for the most significant number.

Works Cited

Auth, Patrick C. Physician Assistant Review. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2012. Print.

Baujard, Antoinette. "Utilitarianism and Anti-Utilitarianism." (2013).

Levine, Laura E., and Joyce Munsch. Child Development: An Active Learning Approach. Sage Publications, Inc., 2014. Print.

Rieder, Travis N. Toward A Small Family Ethics: How Overpopulation and Climate Change Are Affecting the Morality of Procreation. Springer, 2016. Print.

Roopnarine, Jaipaul, Michael Patte, and James Johnson. International Perspectives On Children's Play. McGraw-Hill Education (UK), 2015. Print.