Madam, - Breda O'Brien has ceased the occasional wearing a badge portraying the foot of a 12-week-old foetus in order to avoid evoking feelings of guilt and pain among women who have undergone an abortion (Opinion & Analysis, October 20th). However, her written accusations of obscene violence and carnage involving innocent babies carry the same scare-mongering message as do posters and glass jars with foetuses of various sizes.
The view that abortion verges on an act of barbarism is not new and reflects a society ridden by myths and religious oppression. It would, however, be useful to move the debate further and focus in depth on women's true experiences of abortion.
Swedish researcher Anneli Kero, of Umeå University, has conducted qualitative research on the long-term effects of abortion in Sweden, where it has been legal since 1975. Her studies show that women resort to abortion in all possible contexts and that the motives for abortion reflect the need for women to be able to plan parenthood carefully.
Kero's research includes both mothers and fathers and she argues that, as long as abortion is understood primarily as a last resort among special risk groups and not as a phenomenon which reflect reproductive expectation among all groups in society, it will remain its image as something taboo (Läkartidningen 2005; 102:3677-80).
It is well known that Swedish society, by international standards, has a well developed support system in place for children in particular and families in general. This is a humane society where women's and men's decisions are respected and supported by the vast majority of people. It is a society that recognises the complexities of reproduction and abortion and encourages an open debate without moral judgments.
This is also the type of society in which a large majority of Irish women would like to live, according to recent research showing that 69 per cent say yes to legal and safe abortions in Ireland. Safe and legal abortion at an early stage of pregnancy should be an option for those men and women who know that neither they, nor anyone else, will be able to fulfil the parenting role according to their aspirations.
Breda O'Brien's wish of a caring society is well meant. Unfortunately, her wishes remain utopian. - Yours, etc,
Dr ANNA KARIN
KINGSTON,
Knockalisheen,
Togher, Cork.