Abortion is defined as the deliberate termination of pregnancy before fetal viability. In most cultures and religions, including Islamic law, abortion was considered immoral and legally prohibited until recently.
There are exceptions where it may be permitted for medical reasons, e.g., if the fetus poses a threat to the mother's life. This paper seeks to examine how abortion practices were morally evaluated in Arab societies and how religious, familial, and social pressures influenced women's reproductive choices and psychological outcomes.
Religious Perspectives on Abortion in Arab Societies
Islam
Islam views abortion as haram (forbidden) unless the health of the mother is at stake. The Quran states that every soul has been created by God and deserves protection. Muslim scholars have debated whether a pregnant woman can abort her child after the soul has entered the body, but most agree that the soul enters the body when the embryo develops to the stage of a "living thing" or clot of blood. Therefore, abortion is usually permitted up to this point except in cases of medical necessity. Islam also emphasizes the importance of family planning and encourages couples to choose their children wisely.
Some scholars argue that abortion should not be allowed even if the fetus has abnormalities or will lead to a handicapped child.
Christianity
Christianity also condemns abortion as murder, although the debate over its permissibility in certain circumstances remains unresolved. Some Christian denominations support abortion only in cases of rape or incest while others believe abortion is never justified. Christianity teaches that human life begins at conception, but there are exceptions where fetal development cannot continue due to illness, genetic disorder, or other factors.
Judaism
Judaism considers abortion morally acceptable under specific conditions.
If the mother's life is in danger, abortion may be necessary.
Abortion may be performed if the fetus has severe defects that would prevent it from living an independent life. Jewish law allows for abortion until the sixth month of gestation, after which it becomes increasingly difficult to justify. Jewish thinkers have proposed various approaches to abortion, including viewing it as a form of self-defense or as a violation of the mother's autonomy and right to privacy.
Familial Pressures on Women's Reproductive Choices
Families play a significant role in shaping women's reproductive choices. In traditional Arab societies, families often prioritized male offspring over female ones, leading to gender-based infanticide and son preference in abortion decisions. This practice was particularly common in rural areas where sons were seen as essential for agricultural labor and inheritance rights. Today, some families still prefer boys because they consider them more valuable than girls who may move away upon marriage.
This preference varies by region and socioeconomic status, with urban middle-class families valuing both genders equally.
Social Pressures on Abortion Practices
Society also influences abortion practices through social norms and values. Many countries criminalize abortion, making it difficult to access safe procedures and creating a stigma around those who seek them. Some women may feel pressured to carry unwanted pregnancies due to cultural expectations of marriage and childbearing or fear of judgment from family and community members. Other factors such as poverty, illness, and lack of education can contribute to unplanned pregnancy and drive women towards unsafe abortions.
Psychological Outcomes of Unwanted Pregnancies
Unwanted pregnancy can cause psychological distress and trauma that may persist long after birth.
Women may experience guilt, shame, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The decision to terminate the pregnancy may be emotionally challenging, especially if they regret their choice later on. Women may struggle with feelings of grief, loss, and self-blame even years after the procedure.
How were abortion practices morally evaluated in Arab societies, and how did religious, familial, and social pressures influence women's reproductive choices and psychological outcomes?
In Arab societies, there is no one unified moral evaluation of abortion as it can vary greatly among different religions, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, and historical periods. Religiously, Islamic teachings condemn abortion if it occurs after 120 days of pregnancy except when necessary to save the life of the mother, and this teaching has been reinforced by societal norms that consider it immoral and shameful to have an abortion.