The Unwanted Child The Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on
Abortion discloses an unsatisfactory state of affairs, for which no single remedy exists Criminal abortion appears unmis- takably on the upgrade, however cautiously the obviously imperfect evidence is construed. The Committee is probably in line with public opinion both in advising that it be made unmistakably plain that abortion to preserve life or health is lawful, and in refusing to agree with its dis- sentient member, Mrs. Thurtle, that four previous preg- nancies, as well as pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, should constitute legal justification. It is, however, deplor- able that no wide extension of birth-control facilities for married women is recommended. The case against indis- criminate abortion needs no argument ; it stands condemned on every ground of health, morals and public policy. But the argument is hardly less strong against the infliction of successive unwanted pregnancies on every woman who cannot prove that another baby will wreck her health ; and except for the fortunate few, that is what is implied by the refusal to use the national health services for more general birth-control instruction. In one way or another women will go on limiting their families ; lacking contraceptives they will try worse things. The fact that our whole con- temporary economic and social system penalises parenthood, and the possibilities of remedying that fact, are of course outside the Committee's terms of reference.
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