Abortion in womens lives.

The ability to determine whether and when to bear children has become a prerequisite for womens full participation in modern life. To understand the role that abortion plays in womens lives it must be placed within the larger context of unintended pregnancy. The typical American woman wants to have two children. To do so she will spend roughly five years pregnant postpartum or trying to become pregnant and three decades trying to avoid pregnancy. Virtually all U.S. women have used contraceptives; however neither people nor contraceptive methods are perfect. Nearly half of all women have faced an unintended pregnancy and one in three will have an abortion at some point in their life. About half of women who unintentionally become pregnant turn to abortion. Women who make the decision to have an abortion understand the responsibilities of parenthood and family life. Six in 10 are already a parent. More than half say they want a child or another child at a later point in their life. Most cite concern or responsibility for someone else as a factor in their decision. (excerpt)