Variables in abortion counselling.

Abstract

5 variables involved in abortion counseling are examined in light of the emphasis on abortion counseling in the Lane Report on the workings of the British abortion act. Illustrations are drawn from the report and from medical case studies. The 5 variables are: 1) the religious-ethical beliefs of the counselee; 2) the status of the abortion laws; 3) the available techniques for abortion; 4) the religious-ethical beliefs of the counselor; and 5) the counselor's assumptions about the sequellae of abortion. The counselor's assumptions about the sequellae of abortion and his religious-ethical be liefs are and are likely to remain significant variables. The status of abortion laws is important now, but as other countries adopt more liberal laws so that their own citizens might be served, the importance of this variable should lessen. The reverse is true for available techniques for abortion, particularly if safe self-abortion techniques are developed. The religious-ethical beliefs of the counselee was found to be the least important of the 5 variables.