I-SEARCH

  I-Search

1. What I know?

-abortion is one of the most controversial subjects amongst politics, religion, and every day life.

-abortion was legalized for American women in 1973 based on the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court case.

-this court decision was in favor Roe, deciding that all laws prohibiting abortion were a direct violation of privacy and freedom under the constitution.

-prior to the legalization of abortion in America, women resorted to back alleys and illegal clinics where the procedure was performed unsanitary using chemicals or metal tools.

-many countries still have abortion outlawed.

-In both countries that legalized and outlawed abortion, the abortion rate was the same.

-50% of the pregnancies in America are unintended or unexpected

-half of this rate results in unwanted pregnancies

2. What else I want to know?

-personal stories or interviews with women who have dealt with the situation of an unwanted pregnancy and chose abortion.

-information on countries where abortion is outlawed.

-the statistics on the amount of abortions and risk involved where it is outlawed.

-pro-life vs. pro-choice debate.

3. Where can I find more information?

-google (of course)

-the library

-women's magazines

- international news resources

-a book on Roe vs. Wade

4. Interview with Alexandra Morales, who is one of my close friends and was "hit" with an expected pregnancy.

*1.-Q: First off, what point are you currently at in your life?

   -A: I am 18 years old, I earned my G.E.D from Leto High School when I was 16, have completed a full year Hillsborough Community College, and I am happy with my status.

*2. -Q: What reasons or choices that you've made have influenced your progress and happiness in life so far? 

   -A: About a year ago, I ended up pregnant from my boyfriend of 3 years and I decided to have an abortion. This choice I made was not easy, but success in college and happiness in life both do result from this decision.

*3. -Q: What was your first reaction to discovering your pregnancy?

    -A: To be completely honest with you, I was happy for a split second. But soon this happiness faded with the thought of me being a mother and responsible for another child. I was shocked and scared. I knew I wasn't capable of being good parent.

*4. -Q: Why do you think you couldn't handle parenthood?

    -A: Simply because I still like to have fun, party, and have my own life. When one takes on the responsibility to be a mother, you have to give up your own life. I still have dreams and goals that I wouldn't be able to accomplish with a child on my side.

*5. -Q: What is your goal in life? What do you want to be when you "grow up?"

    -A: I am currently taking business classes, but I am not exactly sure what I want to for a career. I do know that it is my goal to earn a Bachelor's degree in human resources so I can be some kind of manager of a business.

*6. -Q: What was the hardest part of making you decision to go through with the abortion?

    -A: Terminating the potential life of a child that I produced was obviously a tough decision. In a way I look at it as being selfish for myself in a good way. With me opting out of motherhood, now I am able to fully dedicate myself and focus on college.

*7.- Q: Did you consider or think about adoption? Why?

    -A: I though about adoption, but then I thought if I am going carry this child for nine months and go through all the symptoms of pregnancy, then I will keep  it. Even in the case of adoption, the pregnant woman is still basically raising that child because she has to be careful and cautious of what she eats, the activities she's involved in, and it's overall uncomfortable.

*8. -Q: Do you regret your decision, wish you would have done something different, or think about your choice?

    -A: I do not regret having an abortion, I regret being irresponsible and not being on birth control. I think about my decision every day and although it's not pleasant to think that I terminated the development of my child, I know that was the best decision for me and my life.

  

5. What have I learned?

-how controversial and never ending the fight for abortion is.

-the immense and overwhelming need for legalized abortions in so many other countries.

-how American women got abortion legalized (Roe vs. Wade in 1973).

-the risk and danger involved in women inducing abortions on themselves.

-the severity of pro-life advocates in some countries (Poland and Ireland).

-half of pregnancies in the America are unintended and half of that result in unwanted pregnancy.

-mothers that go through with unwanted pregnancy do not put forth the same quality of parenting skills that mothers do with wanted pregnancy.