Facing an unwanted pregnancy: Women who abort and those who change their minds

Abstract

The majority of research on abortion decisions involves case studies of women who have obtained abortions Or comparative analyses of fertility behaviors at the aggregate level. Few studies focus on women who initiate, but fail to complete, their abortion procedure. This paper explores this question using a sample of women who visited an abortion clinic to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. All of the women completed the necessary paperwork, medical exams, and counseling sessions for a therapeutic abortion. While the majority of women had abortions, a portion did not return. The women's background characteristics and aspects of their decision to abort are examined to compare those who aborted with their counter parts who did not. Statistical analysis of the data reveals that the most significant difference is related to interpersonal features of the decision making process.