In the ongoing discussion surrounding abortion, a common argument is that women and non-binary individuals often feel regret after the procedure. While some narratives emphasize the emotional turmoil that can follow, like sadness or relief, they often lack substantial evidence. Until recently, long-term feelings about abortion had mostly been anecdotal, leaving a gap in understanding the emotional aftermath.
However, a groundbreaking study published in the journal Social Science & Medicine sheds new light on the topic. Known as the Turnaway Study, it involved researchers from the University of California at San Francisco who engaged with 667 women across various regions in the U.S. to assess the impacts of abortion from physical, emotional, social, and economic perspectives.
The researchers didn’t just ask a single question; they followed up with participants bi-annually for five years starting just one week after their abortions. In the initial week, approximately 51% of women reported feeling predominantly positive about their decision, while 17% expressed negative emotions, and 20% felt indifferent. Notably, despite any negative sentiments, 95% affirmed that they made the right choice. Lead researcher Dr. Isla Thompson emphasized that it’s essential to recognize that feeling regret and feeling justified in a decision can coexist. “It’s possible to experience regret while still knowing you did what was best for you,” Thompson explained.
As the years progressed, the findings further validated this initial positivity. By the five-year mark, a remarkable 99% of participants felt confident in their choices, with 84% reporting primarily positive feelings or none at all. Only 6% expressed ongoing negative emotions. This research comes at a critical juncture, as the rights of women and non-binary individuals face increasing legislative scrutiny.
The study has already sparked criticism from anti-abortion advocates, such as activist Samira Green, who claimed that the results were biased due to the high rate of women who declined to participate. However, the study’s authors argued that a 38% response rate is consistent with other significant research on stigmatized health services. They also stressed that feeling regret among some individuals doesn’t diminish the experiences of those who feel relief. “I absolutely do not wish to undermine the feelings of those who struggle with their decisions,” Dr. Thompson stated. “But it’s misguided to limit options for everyone based on a minority perspective.”
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In summary, this study provides compelling evidence that the majority of women who undergo abortions experience relief rather than regret in the long term, challenging longstanding myths that have influenced public opinion and policy.
Keyphrase: Women’s Emotions After Abortion
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