Abortion in Okpokwu and its Socio-Religious and Moral Implications

Abstract

This research, examined abortion in Okpokwu, a Local Government Area in Benue State, Nigeria and its socio-religious and moral implications. It considered the reasons why young adults opt for abortion when unwanted pregnancy occurs among them in the community, despite the prevailing religious and moral givens. Procuring abortions comes with dire consequences, including stigma and the loss of human lives of both the fetus and the mother. Researchers have established that individuals’ religious, social and moral position influence one’s attitude and general outlook on live issues including abortion. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, the work asserted that, abortion is not just a medical issue; it also has ethical, religious and social dimensions. This work found out that various contextual and structural factors could shape the abortion decision by women who conceived before marriage. This includes the influence of globalization and social media. The study further identified that socio-religious and structural constraints made no much impact in discouraging abortion; rather, people continue to procure abortion due to wrong advise, shame, fear, peer pressure and the availability of abortion drugs in patent medicine shops. The work advised that religious, political and traditional leaders in Okpokwu, should rise to the occasion to nipping in the bud, this menace of abortion, which has claimed myriads of young and adolescent lives in the community.

Keywords: Abortion, Religion, Morality, Okpokwu