SOCIAL PROBLEM OF ABORTION

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 189, 7 May 1937, Page 16

SOCIAL PROBLEM OF ABORTION

Service Guild Analysis FAR-REACHING PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD The social programme of abortion in New Zealand is dealt with in a statement prepared by the Women’s Service Guild of Wellington. lu this factors believed to be responsible are set out together with recommendations for the alleviation of the evil. ‘‘ln the opinion of the Women’s Service Guild,” the statement reads, ■‘some of the factors responsible for the existence of this grave social evil in our midst are as follows: — 1. Fear due to the fact that women of limited means are not assured that they will receive in childbirth during their labour and delivery, also in cases of after-birth pains, the full benefit of modern science in the practice of anaesthesia. 2. The lack of opportunity for rest and recuperation of their strength prior to and following their confinement. 3. The heavy economic burden caused by surgical, medical, hospital and househelp expenses in the homes where the mother is suffering the serious disability of maternal invalidity due primarily to the effects of laceration during childbirth. 4. The severe economic sacrifice and personal self-denial a large family imposes on the mother and the resultant sharp contrast between the comfort and amenities of modern life enjoyed by childless women or mothers with a small family. Uncertainty, Insecurity. 5. The uncertainty and insecurity created by the present-day tendency to loosen the marriage tie by—(a) The increasing number ot separation cases between husband and wife, (b) The marked increase in the number of divorce cases, (c) The stifling of public opinion by sup pression of the facts regarding these cases in our newspapers with the resultant hurt to the innocent party and privilege to the guilty persons. (d) The uncertainty of continuous gainful employment by the husband. This disruption of the solidarity of the home with its grave hurt to the children must be taken as a contributory factor in the avoidance of the responsibility of motherhood. Suggested Measures. Turning to the alleviation of this difficult social problem, the executive suggests that remedial measures might include: — 1. State maternity hospitals providing— (u) The right of the expectant mother to a personal choice of obstetrical attendant. (b) That all mothers shall have the . right to the full benefit of all available knowledge the practice of modern science affords as regards the alleviation of suffering in childbirth. (e) Provision of waiting homes where expectant mothers may rest prior to their delivery and convalescent homes where they may recuperate their strength after they are discharged from the obstetrical wards. 2. That it shall be made compulsory for parties to the marriage contihct to furnish mutual certificates of their standard of health prior to their marriage and thus assist to build up a healthy family in the community. 3. That the economic independence of the wife in the home shall be established. Abortion—Wiietfe Desirable. 4. That where the standard of parents’ health is definitely anti-social power shall be given to recognised medical health authorities to order that arrangements shall be made at a suitable hospital to abort the mother (5) That through the agency of the Pluuket ante-natal centres and members of the medical profession, parents should be educated in the necessity of safeguarding the welfare of the unborn child and the health of the expectant mother by the exercise of continence during the concluding five months of pregnancy. (6) That the possibility of the State endowment of motherhood be considered. (7) That proposed housing schemes should provide single homes with ground space for gardens and children to play. In making these remedial suggestions, the executive is of opinion that as the financial assistance for and constructive interest by the State in the child’s well-being increases, so also must the authority of the State be widened to ensure .a right standard <if health and self-restraint being maintained by the prospective parents. Women Police Advocated. _ Referring to the incidence of abortion among women in its wider term, the executive is of opinion:— (1) That women police should be appointed with special duties as regards the supervision of places of entertainment, dance-halls, public parks, recreation grounds, and beaches; in fact, all places where people meet for social enjoyment.

(2) That insistent appeal be made to people who have supervision of youug people in education, employment, and the organisation of social amusement to discourage by precept and example the use of alcohol.

(3.) That senior pupils in schools be instructed in the necessity of self-con-trol in the interests of a healthy community and also the necessity for the avoidance of anti-social conduct.

(4) That it be made a penal offence to sell contraceptives to young persons under the age of 16.

(5) That it be made illegal for the management of film theatres to sell to young people under the age of 16 years tickets of admission to the screening of films marked “A” by the Government censor.

In the final analysis the reduction and eventually the elimination of this wrong social condition must be founded on right, home conditions, self-re-straint in social conduct, insistent recognition of the sanctity of motherhood, its importance In our national life, and strengthening in every possible way the economic security of the mother and her children.