Well, I am 16 years old and I had an abortion at the age of 15.
By anonymous on 03/07/2008
Well, I am 16 years old and I had an abortion at the age of 15. When my boyfriend and I told his parents they told us, "Well, we just need to fix this." When I told my parents, my mother’s response was that she wasn't ready to raise a baby. No-one really seemed to care that my boyfriend and I were the ones going through this, not them. I feel that I was pushed into my abortion. I have Ulcerative Colitis which means if I were to go through with it, I would have had serious complications and so would the baby. My mother would cry and say she was just worried about my health, but I knew she was just worried about what everyone else would think. My parents are very selfish people. On the other hand my boyfriend’s parents at that point didn't care about us. They just cared about themselves as well. They offered to never tell my parents and take me to the adoption centre. I couldn't do that. I needed my mother (I've already said how that turned out). In the end I cracked. My boyfriend didn't want it but I had to do it for him (he has huge dreams) and everyone else. It's the longest story of my life and I'm trying to shorten it but it is really hard, I apologise. Cutting to the chase, I'm not exactly the person that does things for myself. I've always been known to do things because someone else wanted me to and if I do try to make decisions for myself, I ask someone else to tell me what to do. Yes, I do believe I made the right choice for them, but not for me. Abortion is a very hard thing to deal with but if it is the right choice for you, go with your instinct. I am and always will be pro-choice; just make sure that it is your choice.
Editor’s note: Thanks for writing in about your experience…It sounds as if you felt powerless to stand up for what you really wanted, given the pressures you were under from other people’s wishes. You seem sad about that. Resigned. Perhaps there is some anger underneath that comes from feeling pushed into an abortion. It sounds as if you feel distant from your parents as a result as you try to keep your sadness, anger and resentment under control.
You would benefit from talking to an advisor more deeply about what’s really going on inside you. You sound very matter-of-fact about abortion in principle, but I suspect there is a lot of pain in your heart about the decision you felt you had to make. Am I right in thinking you are in the States? If so, please call Optionline on 800-395-HELP for the support you need.