The ethical responsibility of men against abortion

Abstract

Clandestine abortion in Mexico is still an important problem of public health and several studies show that men are equally responsible for undesired pregnancies, for the decision to abort and for the risks to women’s health. Given that the processes of moral reasoning are the central axis of social legitimation regarding responsibilities, in this study it was considered necessary to explore these processes. To do so a semi-structured inter view was applied to 14 men residing in Mexico City who had experienced at least one induced abor tion of their couple. The results showed that men’s responsability in abortion is expressed in a very wide spectrum of behavior and feelings that range from the most absolute indifference and a responsibility understood only as an economic contribution, to the most complete solidarity and responsibility assumed as physical, emotional and moral support.