Introduction

Despite the medical complications associated with abortion, the act and issue of aborting unborn children continue to be a norm among university students in many South African university residences across the country. This happened following the legalization of abortion in 1996 in terms of the Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Act. Such a legal provision has legalized abortion and given women of any age complete freedom and the right to terminate the birth of an unborn child whenever they feel to without facing any legal consequences. 

Factors that drive Young University Women to Terminate Pregnancy

Many factors contribute to the choice made by many young university women to terminate their pregnancies. One of the contributory factors is that a lot of young university women consider terminating an unborn child an option on grounds of fearing that their academic careers will be disrupted by their state of pregnancy if they take a break to look after the well-being of the newly-born child. This often happens following the breaking of the parents’ strict instructions back home that once they get pregnant, no one will take care of their child/ren. Some families even threaten their children who are at university that once they get pregnant, that will be the end of financial support from parents. Therefore, many young students think that carrying an unborn child for nine months will affect them academically and emotionally to the point that they may be at risk of being subjected to poor academic performance, isolation and academic exclusion. 

Un-readiness to Become a Parent and Unstable Relationships as Contributory Factors

While some young university students opt for abortion on grounds of fearing that their academic journey may be jeopardized, others opt to terminate unborn children because they feel that they are not ready to be mothers. This is due to many reasons. Among them is that some young university women consider terminating their unborn children on grounds that they have become pregnant by mistake and that their pregnancy comes from an unstable relationship, especially if they know that the type of guy who has impregnated them is an irresponsible guy. 

Unstable Financial Situation by Either or Both Partners

The issue of the unstable financial situation of the boyfriend who has impregnated a young university woman, as well as the financial instability of the young pregnant woman herself is another contributory factor leading to a decision of child termination. In cases where both of them are still dependent on their parents for financial support and survival at university, they sometimes collectively agree to decide to terminate the pregnancy so as to not add financial burden to their respective parents who look after them at university. In some cases, a pregnant woman just opts for abortion before the boyfriend can know something about her pregnancy. 

Conclusion

Although abortion is legalized, however, it always leaves a feeling of guilt for the woman who has terminated her pregnancy and killed an innocent unborn child. To sum up, many factors contribute to why many young women at university residences have abortions. These include unstable relationships, being pregnant by mistake, financial instability, and fear of jeopardizing their academic careers.