Sex, abortion, and unmarried women

Sachdev provides a detailed examination of the psychological responses of women who have had abortions. The author surveyed 70 unmarried women aged 18 to 25 who had had abortions during the past six months to one year. Based on in-depth interviews with these women, the study presents quantitative and qualitative findings. While some authors have stressed the negative psychological impact of abortion, Sachdev demonstrates that the majority of women in his study were comfortable with their decisions and experienced few adverse psychological reactions. Impressively researched, this insightful study persuasively refutes claims and myths such as women are increasingly using abortion as their primary method of contraception; the abortion experience is more traumatic than giving up a newborn infant for adoption; unrestrictive abortions encourage irresponsible sex; sex education and the ready availability of contraceptive devices encourage sexual experimentation; unmarried women get pregnant because they want to for some "underlying motives"; most unmarried abortees experience pathological guilt and depression following abortion surgery; and abortions performed in hospitals are no more therapeutic and emotionally healthy than those performed in clinics. The volume begins with a look at the abortion controversy in North America. The following chapter presents general information on the psychological effects of abortion. Sachdev then discusses his research methodology in detail, and through the chapters that follow he records and analyzes the attitudes and experiences of the women interviewed. The study includes information on the sexual activity and contraceptive history of the participants, their reaction to becoming pregnant, the factors that persuaded them to have an abortion, and their experiences after the surgery. The findings are supported by numerous quotations from the women who took part in the study, and a valuable bibliography offers suggestions for further reading.