Abortion Study in Singapore

Definition: termination of pregnancy before birth. 

Social issue Definition: a social issue is a problem that influences a considerable number of the individuals within a society. 

Anyone can have an abortion  (X parental consent, no minimum or max-age) anytime before week 24 unless mother's life is in danger. 

Permitted abortion 
- save the woman's life 
- preserve the physical/ mental health of the woman
- involuntary pregnant  (incest, rape)
- the fetus has major defect or impairment 
- the woman is not capable of looking after the child due to social or economic issues.

(Foreigners meet 1/4 requirements to abort in SG)
- Reside in SG 4 months and more
- married to Singaporean/ is PR
- Person or wife hold work permit pass or employment pass
- save the life of the woman 

Process 
See General practitioner (GP)/ gynaecologist --> Pre abortion counselling 
2 data later --> procedure (The termination of pregnancy guidelines to possible reconsider)

Post-abortion -> for those with complications 

Focus more: Sex Ed and contraceptive
The more we stigmatise and punish abortion, it drives them away from health. Unsafe abortion (higher risk of illegal uncertified procedures)
- shame (silence then ignorance)
- prejudice
- discrimination
- oppression 

Solution 

• Reduce abortion --> focus on contraption  (family planning) Sex Ed
• Post-abortion -> for those with complications 
• Giving pregnant woman the resources (after the baby) 

Reason why we need this solution

• Self-induced abortion (access to clinics is much harder)
• Restrictive law - hard for abortion 
• Stigma 
•  cultural attitude (shame ---> silence --> ignorance)
• Teens: 
  - lacks awareness/ education on information  (hard to access)
  - stigma --> feel alone (no knowledge of available resources)

Interesting Findings

"Trust a teen to raise a kid but not to have an abortion."
Parents protectiveness cannot trump a person's right to her own body and her own future 

Morality 
- a multi-religious country that shouldn't allow the law to be influenced by religion. (DON'T IMPOSE ONE'S BELIEF MORAL STANDARD ON OTHERS) 
- labels by anti-abortion activists "unborn child" "innocent baby" shames other into believing abortion is murder 

Shame (learn from community what is regarded (perceive) as shameful)

(Empathy = connection = empowerment 
"Empathy gets created the moment we imagine ourselves in someone else's shoes. It doesn't mean we all have to end up in the same place.")

Shame (learn from community what is regarded (perceive) as shameful)