Why are abortions performed?
• Three out of five abortions result from the failure of some method of contraception. Of that 60 percent, one-third are the result of condom failure. • On average, 75 percent say that having a baby would interfere with work, school or other responsibilities; about two-thirds say they cannot afford to have a child; and half say they do not want to be a single parent or have problems in their relationship with their husband or partner. • Social reasons account for 93 percent of abortions. • Of women having abortions, about one percent have been advised that the fetus has a defect and an additional 12 percent fear that the fetus may have been harmed by medications or other conditions. • Cases of rape or incest leading to pregnancy account for about one percent of abortions performed each year. How does abortion affect teenagers? – Teenagers are more likely than older women to have abortions during their second trimester, during which health risks associated with abortion increase signifi
