While a large number of teenagers in Taiwan feel that abortion is a type of murder, nearly half of those questioned in a recent survey said they would consider abortion in the event of accidental pregnancy.
A survey conducted by Eastern Multimedia Marketing Survey Center (
Fu Jen University's (
While it was unclear how many teenagers have had abortions in Taiwan, 27 percent of those surveyed said they had heard of friends having an abortion.
The survey also showed that 53 percent of teenagers thought premarital sex was acceptable. However, more males than females felt premarital sex was acceptable. The survey found that 62.05 percent of boys thought that sex before marriage was appropriate behavior while only 41.94 percent of girls believed this.
According to the Garden of Hope Foundation (
"Taiwan teenagers shouldn't have such an open attitude to sex. This follows in the footsteps of the US," said Louis Aldrich, dean of Fu Jen's Faculty of Theology.
Chi Hui-jung (
"It is such a pity that 54 percent of teenagers would consider abortion if they got pregnant," Chi said.
Chi said that many teenagers believe that abortion could solve their problems.
"Abortion actually isn't the only option for pregnant teenagers. Aside from abortion, children can consider using foster care for their new born baby, getting married, or even being a single mother," Chi said.
Of course there are few in society who are willing to lend a helping hand either, Chi said, citing the case of girl who was expelled from school after she became pregnant even though she had married. "Little support and help from society are provided for pregnant teenagers," she said.
While the survey showed that 82.03 percent of teenagers claimed they had a clear understanding of sex and 70 percent believed they had a correct understanding of contraceptives, another survey cited by Chi painted a different picture.
According to a survey taken by the Taiwan Province Family Planning Institution (
In the same survey, 23 percent of teenagers got pregnant the first time they had sex.
Others have also emphasized the importance of counseling.
"I have listened to a call from a radio program where teenagers share their abortion experiences. Some even aborted more than once," Renn Chang (
"Emotional education is also needed, not merely sexual knowledge," Chang added.
"You can often see the shrines prepared for dead babies in graveyards and teenagers who have had an abortion seeking fortune tellers in order to relieve their sense of guilt," Chi said.
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