Unwanted pregnancies and abortion in Sweden, the balance

Benoit GEOFFROY Mid Sweden University, department of social work

Introduction

Unwanted pregnancy is a worldwide problem that often leads to abortion, both legal and illegal. In Sweden since 1975, the year the actual Abortion act was promulgated, the average number of abortions is around 30.000 a year (Wilow K & Liber AB, 2000), but this number is increasing and reached 38.053 in 2000, as against 30.771 10 years earlier. More generally, abortion levels in Northern Europe and parts of Western Europe are among the lowest in countries with legal abortions. Furthermore, the teenage fertility rate in Sweden is one of the lowest in Europe, nevertheless, the teenage abortion rate among teenagers increased by 50 % between 1995 and 2002. It raises a true social and public health problem: an increased number undesired pregnancies involves an increased number of sexually transmitted disease (STD). Furthermore, for many, an abortion act is not a simple one and can be very unsettling, particularly for young girls, and can involve existential and ethical/moral conflicts. As prevention, contraception and abortion seem to be linked, we wonder what can be done in order to curb this trend? First, we will talk about the abortion in Sweden and its history, then we will discuss about the prevention policy in the country. Next, we will address about the risk factors for unwanted pregnancies. Finally, we will make a short comparison with France and try to find some solutions to contain this tendency.

Abortion in Sweden: history, general facts and trends

The first Abortion Act in Sweden came into force in 1938. According to this Act, an abortion was allowed for three reasons: medico-social if the birth of the child would represent a threat to the woman’s life and health, humanitarian before 15 years old or in case of rape/incest, and finally eugenic to avoid hereditary defect in the child. Thirty-seven years after