|
A Survey of WEBA Members
The following material is taken from Appendix Two of Aborted
Women: Silent No More by David C. Reardon (Loyola University Press, 1987).
Note, this was a survey of women who had some involvement
with Women Exploited By Abortion, a peer support group for women who were experiencing
negative post-abortion reaction. Because this is a self-selected sample of the those who
had a "bad experience" these findings should not be interpreted as
representative of a random sample of all women who have had abortions. What percentage of
women have "bad experiences" such as those described herein remains unknown.
(See Limitations on Post-Abortion Research: Why
We Know So Little for a description of why post-abortion researchers have been unable
to come up with even a crude estimate of how many women experience post-abortion
problems.)
Despite the fact that this sample cannot be generalized to
the whole population, the results do appear to be representative of the experiences of
those women who do have difficulties after an abortion. This is a legitimate reference
point in and of itself. This study is analogous to studying a group of patients who all
becoming ill from, for example, an artificial sweetener. It is proper scientific method to
study the symptoms and experiences of this group of "sick" patients. Only then
can their "illness" be cataloged and a hypothesis be developed. Only after
identifying the primary symptoms could one then go out and survey all users of the
artificial sweetener to determine how widespread these symptoms may be. This latter stage
is part of our ongoing work. In referring to the findings of this study, then, it would be
most appropriate to say, for example, "Of women who report post-abortion problems,
53% felt 'forced' to abort by one or more other people, and 39% report feeling very much
'forced' to abort by others."
APPENDIX TWO Survey Results
The survey discussed in Chapter One was distributed through
WEBA chapters to 252 women in 42 states. It consisted of two sections: background
information and the actual survey questions. The instructions read as follows:
| ABORTION EXPERIENCE
QUESTIONNAIRE |
| This survey is being conducted to review the decision-making
processes of women who have had abortions, and their subsequent satisfaction or
dissatisfaction with their decisions. Please answer the questions as honestly as possible.
If you wish to elaborate, please feel free to write further explanations or comments on
separate sheets of paper. (If possible, please number your explanations according to the
number of the question which prompted your comment.) Your written comments may be used in
published results of this study. Names and addresses will not be used and will remain
confidential unless written permission for use is requested and granted. If you know of
anyone else who has had an abortion and may be willing to answer this survey, please make
a photocopy of this form for them, or write to the survey address for an additional copy. |
Survey Participants
The first section of the survey requested a variety of
background information. Tabulation of the background information yielded the following
results:
| AGE AT TIME OF ABORTION |
<15 yrs |
15-19 |
20-24 |
25-29 |
>30 |
| 3% |
42% |
33% |
14% |
8% |
| Average age at time of abortion: |
21.2 yrs |
| Low age at time of abortion: |
12 yrs |
| High age at time of abortion: |
40 yrs |
| AGE AT TIME OF SURVEY |
<20 yrs |
20-24 |
25-29 |
30-34 |
>34 |
| 1% |
11% |
33% |
35% |
20% |
| Average age at time of survey: |
31.2 yrs |
| Low age at time of survey: |
16 yrs |
| High age at time of survey: |
64 yrs |
| Average time since abortion: |
10.0 yrs (Survey age minus abortion age) |
| Greatest time since abortion: |
36 yrs |
| Least time since abortion: |
7 months |
| RACE OR ETHNIC
ORIGIN |
White |
87% |
| Other |
13% |
| LEGAL AND ILLEGAL
ABORTIONS |
Legal |
92% |
| Illegal |
8% |
EDUCATION LEVEL
Degree Equivalent |
| No Answer |
Under 12 yrs |
High School (12 yrs) |
Associate or Trade (13-14) |
Bachelors (15-16) |
Masters (17-18) |
Ph.D. (>18) |
| 5% |
6% |
39% |
26% |
19% |
4% |
1% |
| WEEKS PREGNANT AT
TIME OF ABORTION |
| <5 wks |
5-6 |
7-8 |
9-10 |
11-12 |
13-24 |
>24 |
| 2% |
13% |
23% |
18% |
24% |
19% |
0% |
| Average gestation at time of
abortion: |
10.2 wks |
| Low gestation at time of abortion: |
4 wks |
| High gestation at time of abortion: |
23 wks |
| MARITAL STATUS |
Single: |
65% |
| Engaged: |
8% |
| Married: |
17% |
| Separated: |
11% |
| NUMBER OF CHILDREN |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
>3 |
| 73% |
14% |
9% |
4% |
1% |
| INCOME LEVEL |
Under $5,000 per year: |
33% |
| $5,000 to $10,000: |
25% |
| $10,000 to $15,000: |
14% |
| $15,000 to $20,000: |
7% |
| Over $20,000: |
21% |
Though the above figures tend to show that the women surveyed
generally had low incomes at the time of their abortions, these numbers should be
interpreted with caution. These figures are not necessarily indicative of the general
incomes or social classes of these aborters. At the time of their abortions, most of these
women were in their early twenties or late teens; many were college students. While some
respondents elsewhere indicated that they were from middle- or upper-class families, they
considered themselves independent at the time of their abortions (whether working or
attending college) and so reported only their personal incomes. Thus, the income potential
of many of these aborters may have been significantly higher than the above figures
indicate. Moreover, these income levels are not adjusted for inflation.
| SUBSIDY OF
ABORTION |
| "This question was meant to identify
government subsidized abortions (i.e. through federal or state Medicare programs). Another
frequent response, however, was that insurance (usually the insurance policy of the
woman's parents or college insurance) covered the costs of the abortion. Responses such as
'paid for by boyfriend,' or 'parents' were tallied as being abortions that were not
subsidized." |
| Subsidized: |
23% |
Government subsidy: |
64% |
| Insurance subsidy: |
36% |
| Unsubsidized: |
77% |
|
|
Survey Results
Following the background questions was a list of 58 questions
which were to be answered on a scale of 0 to 5. According to the directions for this final
section:
Instructions: Unless otherwise indicated, most questions
require answers on a scale where 1=Not At All, ranging up to 5=Very Much. Unsure is always
indicated by circling 0.
In practice, most of the women did not answer any question
which they felt was not applicable to their circumstances. If, for example, they had not
consulted with their parents before their abortions, they simply did not circle a response
to the question as to whether or not their parents influenced their decisions. Since
computer tabulation of the results would have been overly complicated by unanswered
questions, all unanswered questions were recorded as a "0" response. Therefore,
all "0" responses include those respondents who were unsure of their response to
a particular question, as well as those who were sure that the question was "Not
Applicable" (N/A) to their particular circumstances.
The following is a complete listing of the questions asked,
with answers recorded according to the percentage of respondents falling in each category.
| |
N/A or Unsure |
Not at All |
|
|
|
Very Much |
| 1. Were you satisfied with the abortion services you
received? |
10% |
44% |
8% |
18% |
10% |
8% |
| 2. Were you satisfied with your choice at the time? |
8% |
42% |
14% |
13% |
10% |
14% |
| 3. Are you satisfied with your choice today? |
3% |
95% |
0% |
1% |
0% |
1% |
| 4. Was the decision made for reasons of: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| mental health? |
40% |
34% |
4% |
6% |
6% |
11% |
| physical health? |
41% |
48% |
2% |
3% |
1% |
6% |
| financial limits? |
32% |
27% |
5% |
9% |
5% |
23% |
| social acceptance? |
20% |
12% |
3% |
7% |
10% |
47% |
| family size? |
42% |
48% |
1% |
2% |
1% |
6% |
| career goals? |
41% |
30% |
4% |
7% |
5% |
13% |
| Iong-term needs? |
43% |
22% |
4% |
7% |
6% |
18% |
| short-term needs? |
41% |
14% |
2% |
5% |
9% |
28% |
| other? |
54% |
2% |
0% |
3% |
2% |
39% |
| 5. Do you feel you were "forced" by outside
circumstances to have an abortion? |
4% |
12% |
10% |
10% |
10% |
54% |
| 6. Were you encouraged to have an abortion by: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| parents? |
34% |
35% |
2% |
6% |
2% |
21% |
| other family members? |
41% |
39% |
3% |
3% |
2% |
12% |
| husband? |
54% |
33% |
1% |
1% |
2% |
9% |
| boyfriend? |
27% |
27% |
2% |
4% |
7% |
33% |
| social worker? |
52% |
32% |
2% |
0% |
4% |
10% |
| abortion counselor? |
39% |
20% |
2% |
4% |
8% |
27% |
| doctor? |
41% |
27% |
3% |
6% |
5% |
18% |
| friends? |
38% |
28% |
2% |
7% |
6% |
18% |
| other? |
77% |
5% |
0% |
2% |
3% |
13% |
| 7. Would your choice have been different if any or all of
the above had encouraged you differently? |
8% |
4% |
2% |
3% |
7% |
76% |
| 8. Do you feel you were "forced" by others to have
an abortion? |
4% |
23% |
10% |
10% |
14% |
39% |
| 9. If abortion had not been legally available, would you
have sought an illegal abortion? |
16% |
72% |
3% |
4% |
2% |
4% |
| 10. Would you have attempted a self-induced abortion? |
4% |
87% |
2% |
2% |
2% |
3% |
| 11. Did you feel rushed to have an abortion? |
3% |
8% |
3% |
5% |
12% |
69% |
| 12. How long did you take to decide? |
1-4 days |
1 wk. |
2-3 wks. |
4-6 wks. |
longer |
| 51% |
24% |
12% |
6% |
6% |
| |
N/A or Unsure |
Not at All |
Very Much |
| 13. Do you feel your decision was well thought out? |
1% |
74% |
8% |
9% |
2% |
6% |
| 14. Do you feel you had all of the necessary information to
make the decision? |
2% |
88% |
5% |
3% |
1% |
2% |
| 15. Have you had more than one abortion? |
Yes-24% No-76% |
| How many? |
1 |
2 |
3 |
>3 |
| |
76% |
20% |
3% |
2% |
| |
N/A or Unsure |
Not at All |
Very Much |
| 16. Would you ever have another abortion? |
4% |
95% |
1% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
| 17. Were there any physical complications following the
procedure? |
Yes 47%, No 44%,
Unsure 9% |
| 18. If so, were they severe or minor? (minor-1; severe-5) |
47% |
15% |
6% |
14% |
4% |
15% |
| 19. Was there any permanent damage? |
Yes 18%, No 47%,
Unsure 35% |
| 20. Have any subsequent pregnancies resulted in miscarriage
or premature birth? |
Yes 23%, No 67%,
Unsure 10% |
| If so, does your doctor attribute it to your previous
abortion? |
Yes 5%, No 5%,
Unsure 88% |
| 21. Were there any negative psychological effects you
attribute to your abortion? |
Yes 94%, No 2%,
Unsure 4% |
| 22. If so, were they minor or severe? (minor-l; severe-5) |
6% |
4% |
3% |
14% |
19% |
54% |
| 23. Did they persist: |
1-6 mos. |
1-2 yrs |
over 3 years ? |
| |
8% |
10% |
82% |
| |
N/A or Unsure |
Not at
All |
Very Much |
| 24. Do they still persist? |
7% |
25% |
23% |
19% |
8% |
18% |
| 25. Was post-abortion counseling available through the
clinic or referral agency? |
16% |
76% |
4% |
1% |
1% |
2% |
| 26. Did you require professional counseling and/or
treatment? |
8% |
45% |
4% |
6% |
6% |
31% |
| 27. Were you using a form of birth control when you
conceived? |
Yes 23%, No 74%, Unsure 3% |
| 28. Were you familiar with the available forms of birth
control? |
1% |
7% |
8% |
15% |
7% |
63% |
| 29. Knowing where your life is today, would you still have
chosen abortion? |
4% |
94% |
1% |
0% |
0% |
1% |
| 30. Did you discuss your decision with others? |
1% |
25% |
28% |
19% |
10% |
18% |
| 31. When you went to the clinic or counselor, was your
decision already firm? |
5% |
30% |
9% |
16% |
10% |
31% |
| 32. Were you still looking for options? |
9% |
29% |
9% |
7% |
8% |
36% |
| 33. Did the clinic, doctor, or counselor help you to explore
your decision? |
2% |
84% |
7% |
3% |
1% |
3% |
| 34. Do you feel their opinions were biased? |
23% |
6% |
3% |
3% |
7% |
59% |
If so: for abortion |
79% |
or against
abortion |
1% |
n/a |
20% |
| |
N/A or Unsure |
Not at
All |
Very Much |
| 35. Were you adequately informed about the procedure? |
4% |
49% |
17% |
15% |
10% |
6% |
| 36. Were you given information about the biological nature
of the fetus? |
4% |
90% |
3% |
2% |
0% |
2% |
| 37. Were you well informed about the procedure and fetus
through other sources before seeking an abortion? |
1% |
83% |
7% |
5% |
0% |
4% |
| 38. Was your decision made in consultation with your doctor? |
2% |
70% |
4% |
5% |
6% |
14% |
| 39. Were you encouraged to ask questions? |
6% |
64% |
16% |
8% |
3% |
2% |
| 40. Were your questions thoroughly answered to your
satisfaction? |
19% |
52% |
12% |
8% |
4% |
4% |
| 41. Do you believe there was information you were not given,
or were misinformed about? |
8% |
10% |
1% |
4% |
4% |
73% |
| 42. Were risks and dangers discussed? |
7% |
65% |
16% |
5% |
4% |
4% |
43.
What was your opinion about the nature of the fetus? |
| no answer |
4% |
| human |
26% |
| non-human |
30% |
| other |
40% |
What is your opinion
about the nature of the fetus? |
| no answer |
3% |
| human |
97% |
| non-human |
0% |
| other |
0% |
| |
N/A or Unsure |
Not at All |
|
|
|
Very Much |
| 44. If counseling a friend who was in a situation such as
yours, would you encourage her to choose an abortion? |
1% |
98% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
1% |
45. Was your self-image improved or worsened by your
decision?
(worsened-1; improved-5) |
2% |
89% |
4% |
3% |
1% |
1% |
46. Is your life today better or worse because of your
decision?
(worse-l; improved-5) |
21% |
60% |
6% |
8% |
1% |
4% |
| 47. Was the period of your pregnancy before the abortion
emotionally traumatic? |
4% |
11% |
6% |
10% |
11% |
60% |
| 48. Did you feel in control of your life when making your
decision? |
3% |
65% |
8% |
9% |
6% |
10% |
| 49. Did you feel your life was controlled by others? |
4% |
16% |
8% |
12% |
14% |
47% |
| 50. Did the knowledge that abortion was legal influence your
opinion about the morality of choosing abortion? |
11% |
12% |
1% |
6% |
12% |
58% |
| 51. Did you consider carrying the pregnancy to term? |
5% |
19% |
12% |
15% |
12% |
38% |
| 52. Did you consider keeping the baby? |
6% |
23% |
10% |
13% |
10% |
49% |
| 53. Did you consider adoption? |
4% |
62% |
13% |
7% |
6% |
8% |
| 54. Under better circumstances, would you have kept the
baby? |
10% |
1% |
2% |
3% |
3% |
81% |
| 55. After your abortion, did you hope to have children at a
later time? |
6% |
6% |
1% |
2% |
1% |
84% |
| 56. Were there periods when you felt good or excited about
your pregnancy? |
9% |
23% |
8% |
6% |
10% |
43% |
57. What were your feelings about abortion prior to becoming
pregnant?
(negative-1; positive-5) |
21% |
33% |
8% |
20% |
6% |
12% |
58. What are your feelings about abortion today?
(negative-1; positive-5) |
1% |
98% |
1% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
Planned Parenthood Clients
Because Planned Parenthood has a reputation as one of the
best, most professional, abortion providers, the researcher separated out those survey
respondents who received counseling and/or their abortions at Planned Parenthood clinics.
He then tabulated their answers separately. A total of 53 respondents (21% of all
respondents) fell into this subgroup. Their answers to the following questions were
selected to provide a comparison of Planned Parenthood services to those of abortion
providers as a whole.
| |
N/A or Unsure |
Not
at All |
Very Much |
| 1. Were you satisfied with the abortion services you
received? |
11% |
45% |
11% |
13% |
8% |
11% |
| 6f. Were you encouraged to have an abortion by (your)
abortion counselor? |
26% |
10% |
2% |
2% |
12% |
48% |
| 28. Would your choice have been different if any or all of
the above had encouraged you differently? |
8% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
13% |
80% |
| 31. When you went to the clinic or counselor, was your
decision to abort already firm? |
26% |
36% |
11% |
23% |
4% |
25% |
| 32. Were you still looking for options? |
11% |
19% |
6% |
9% |
9% |
45% |
| 33. Did the clinic, doctor, or counselor help you to explore
your decision? |
2% |
85% |
13% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
| 34. Do you feel their opinions were biased? |
19% |
4% |
2% |
4% |
6% |
66% |
If so: for
abortion |
89% |
or against abortion |
0% |
n/a |
12% |
| 35. Were you adequately informed about the
procedure? |
2% |
43% |
15% |
23% |
11% |
6% |
| 36. Were you given information about the biological nature
of the fetus? |
2% |
85% |
8% |
4% |
0% |
2% |
| 37. Were you well informed about the procedure and fetus
through other sources before seeking an abortion? |
2% |
81% |
4% |
6% |
0% |
8% |
| 38. Was your decision made in consultation with your doctor? |
2% |
89% |
2% |
2% |
0 % |
6% |
| 39. Were you encouraged to ask questions? |
4% |
60% |
19% |
11% |
4% |
2% |
| 40. Were your questions thoroughly answered to your
satisfaction? |
17% |
53% |
11% |
13% |
2% |
4% |
| 41. Do you believe there was information you were not given
or were misinformed about? |
4% |
13% |
0% |
4% |
6% |
74% |
| 42. Were risks and dangers discussed? |
6% |
62% |
19% |
8% |
4% |
2% |
|
