Title: A consideration of abortion survivors.

POPLINE Document Number: 266693

Author(s):

Ney PG

Source citation:

Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 1983 Spring;13(3):168-79.

Abstract:

It is hypothesized that children who have siblings terminated by abortion have similar psychological conflicts to those children who survive disasters or siblings who die of accident of illness. There is evidence that children are aware of their mother's pregnancy termination. Having been chosen to survive, these children may have considerable conflicts regarding their existence. Since their life depended upon being wanted, they may become obsessively determined to please or they may feel a deep sense of obligation to their parents. If children have already lost a parent the child may look upon his new unborn sibling as a potential attachment. To be deprived by his mother's choice may stir latent hostility within the child the expression of which would be inhibited by the child's determination to stay wanted. Abortion survivors may be overprotected by parents attempting to deal with their unresolved guilt. As a substitute child the abortion survivor may have placed upon himself impossible expectations. It is contended that since approximately 50% of Western children are abortion survivors there is need to analyze their individual and collective responses. (author's modified)

Keywords:

Abortion
Psychological Factors
Child
Child Worth
Adolescent Pregnancy
Child Rearing
Mothers
Ethics
Social Change
Attitude
Fertility Control, Postconception
Family Planning
Behavior
Youth
Age Factors
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Microeconomic Factors
Economic Factors
Reproductive Behavior
Fertility
Population Dynamics
Parents
Family Relationships
Family Characteristics
Family and Household