Dbq Essay On Abortion

At the 1994 United Nations Population and Development Conference, several major societies were pro-life in regards to abortion, such as in Iranian, United Arab Emirates, and Vatican societies, whereas others felt that abortion should be a choice, like Norwegian and Syrian Arab societies as well as the United Nations as a whole.
First, several major societies were pro-life in regards to abortion. Document 2 discusses the beliefs of Iranian Minister Hossain Malekafzali. It states that instead of abortion, families should take advantage of education. In addition, it states the importance and necessity of the family unit in society, which would be affected by this family planning tool. In Document 3, the beliefs of a United Arab Emirates representative

are discussed. He says that men and families should be protected, however, it should not be through the means of abortion. It is against the principles of law and the Islamic religion. Finally, Document 4 discusses the beliefs of the Holy See. The Holy See does not support abortion as all human lives are valued and must be protected. In addition, the Vatican does not approve that abortion services are portrayed as a method of choice, especially because of extramarital sexual activity.
Next, several major societies felt abortion should be a choice.

Document 1 shows the opinion of the Norwegian Prime Minister. His beliefs portray that, while religion and morality play a role in family-planning services, “morality becomes hypocrisy if it means accepting mothers’ suffering or dying in connection with unwanted pregnancies and illegal abortions, and unwanted children living in mistery.” He feels that women should be educated and that without this education population growth will become a more prominent issue. Document 5, a statement by the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic, also shows the belief that abortion should be a choice. Ultimately, it states that the enhancement of prosperity in societies, through family planning, is still in accordance with ethical and religious ideals. Document 6, a full U.N. Report, also shows the idea of abortion as a choice. It states that, “the aim of family-planning programmes must be to enable couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children and to have the information and means to do so.” Despite the fact that this family planning has led to a decrease in fertility rates, these services are still allowed, and barriers are even

discouraged.
Finally, an opinion of the rapidly growing world population that would have been interesting might have been a well-educated atheist from the United States. This would allow an opinion with the absence of religion, but the education to understand the effects of abortion. In addition, it would show a different prospective based off of the difference in location compared to the documents shown.