Abstract

PIP: Human beings seem to make private and irrevocable decisions regarding fertility control. There is little that physicians or lawyers can do to change these decisions. The relationship between induced abortion and contraceptive practice has long been documented. When fertility begins to decline in a country, there is often a rise in both induced abortion (either legal or illegal) and contraceptive practice. As time passes, contraception becomes more important as a fertility control method and induced abortion declines in importance. This transition has occurred in the history of Western countries and in contemporary developing nations. The transition appears to take place more rapidly in nations where abortion is recognized and legal. Subgroups within a society may lag behind the pace of the national transition. Any attempts to reimpose restrictions on abortion will not serve to reduce the actual numbers of abortions which take place, but may actually lead to greater numbers of abortions.