It all boils down to money.
Having a baby would dramatically change my life.
It’s kind of hard to raise two kids by yourself.
Several studies have been conducted throughout the decades asking the question, “Why do women have abortions?” These studies have asked sample groups of women throughout the U.S. who have had an abortion. Among the reasons, here are some of the most common explanations. In studies conducted in 1987, 2005, and 2013 the top two responses are:
The following responses were taken directly from the studies conducted from 2013 and 2005.
In a study from 2013, a financial reason (40%) was the most frequently mentioned theme. Most women (38%) cited general financial concerns which included responses such as “financial problems,” “don’t have the means,” “It all boils down to money” and “can’t afford to support a child.” As one unemployed 42-year old woman with a monthly household income of a little over $1,000 describes, “[It was] all financial, me not having a job, living off death benefits, dealing with my 14 year old son. I didn’t have money to buy a baby spoon.”
In the same study from 2013, over one third (36%) of respondents stated reasons related to timing. Many women (34%) used phrasing such as “I wasn’t ready,” and “wasn’t the right time.” You will see the same two reasons found in the study done in 2005. Among the structured survey respondents, the two most common reasons were “having a baby would dramatically change my life” and “I can’t afford a baby now.”
Nearly one third (31%) of respondents gave partner-related reasons for seeking an abortion. Six percent mentioned partners as their only reason for seeking abortion. Partner related reasons included not having a “good” or stable relationship with the father of the baby (9%), wanting to be married first (8%), not having a supportive partner (8%), being with the “wrong guy” (6%), having a partner who does not want the baby (3%), and having an abusive partner (3%).
The need to focus on other children was a common theme, mentioned by 29% of women. Six percent of women mentioned only this theme. The majority of these reasons (67%) were related to feeling overextended with current children.
Here are example responses, “I already had 2 kids and it would be really overwhelming. It’s kind of hard to raise 2 kids by yourself.” The pregnancy was too soon after a previous child, “I have a 3-month-old already. If I had had that baby, he wouldn’t even be one [year old by the time the baby came].” Or responses were simply not wanting any more children, “I just felt inadequate, I have a teenager and 2 pre-teens and I couldn’t see starting over again.”
One in five women (20%) reported that they chose abortion because they felt a baby at this time would interfere with their future goals and opportunities in general (5%) or, more specifically, with school (14%) or career plans (7%).
Usually the reasons were related to the perceived difficulty of continuing to advance educational or career goals while raising a baby: “I didn’t think I’d be able to support a baby and go to college and have a job,” states an 18-year old respondent in high school. A 21-yearold woman in college with no children explains that she, “Still want[s] to be able to do things like have a good job, finish school, and be stable.” Another woman explains: “I feel like I need to put myself first and get through college and support myself.” Others spoke to the inability to take time off work to raise the child. A 21-one-year old holding two part-time jobs and raising two children states: “I wouldn’t be able to take the time off work. My work doesn’t offer maternity leave and I have to work [to afford to live] here. If I took time off I would lose my job so there’s just no way.”
Nineteen percent of respondents (19%) described feeling emotionally or mentally unprepared to raise a child at this time.
Twelve percent of respondents (12%) mentioned health-related reasons ranging from concern for her own health (6%), health of the fetus (5%), drug, tobacco, or alcohol use (5%), and/or non-illicit prescription drug or birth control use (1%).
Twelve percent of women (12%) gave reasons for choosing abortion related to their desire to give the child a better life than she could provide. Responses related to generally wanting to give the child a better life (7%) were characterized by a concern for the child, “I’m afraid my kid will be suffering in this world” and “wouldn’t have been good for me or the child,” or a feeling of inadequacy to parent the child. “I can’t take care of a kid because I can barely take care of myself and I don’t want to bring a child into the world when I’m unmarried and not ready.”
Less than 7% of women explained that their reliance on others or lack of maturity was a reason for choosing abortion.
In the 2005 study one woman stated, “There is just no way I could be the wonderful parent to all three of them and still have enough left over to keep the house clean and make sure the bills are paid and I’m in bed on time so I can be at work on time. It’s impossible.” —30-yearold with two children, below the poverty line.
In the 2013 study, even smaller percentages mentioned as the reason to abort: influences from friends/family, the woman does not want a baby or to place a baby up for adoption.
There is just no way I could be the
wonderful parent to all three of them
and still have enough left
over to keep the house
clean and make sure the
bills are paid and I’m in
bed on time so I can be at
at work on time.
It’s impossible.