Secrecy that undermines our role as parents

IN a powerful written statement – which will strike a chord with parents and teenagers – Susan Axon laid bare her personal experiences before the court:

WHEN I was 30 years old I

had an abortion when I was

11 weeks pregnant.

‘At the time I was confused, h av i n g r e c e n t l y h a d a f a i l e d relationship.

‘The father of the unborn child left me, and without the prospect of close support, I found it too difficult to contemplate bringing up another child on my own.

‘Contrary to my principles held at that time – and now – I had an abortion.

‘I suffered severe guilt, shame and depression for many years after that, not because of anything that was said to me, but because I believed I had killed my child.

‘To this day I regret having had the abortion.

‘I also suffered physical complications.

‘I am opposed to abortion not out of any religious conviction, simply because I believe that the unborn baby is a human being.

‘I believe that abortion should only be allowed in the most exceptional circumstances.

‘That being so, should my daughters fall pregnant, I would not stop them having an abortion.

‘I would, however, discuss the matter with them and seek to dissuade them from taking that course of action.

‘Ultimately if they disregarded my advice and had the abortion, I would support them and help them through this very significant operation.

‘At that time, they would need my care, not condemnation.

‘My concern with the (government) guidance is that I believe it undermines my role as a parent.

‘I recognise that the teenage years, especially the early teens, are significant and tumultuous for youngsters.

‘Most teens experience significant self doubt and feelings of inferiority.

‘Peer pressure is very powerful at this time and many opportunities exist to make unwise, very far-reaching decisions.