Urban Malaysian Women's Experiences Of Abortion: Some Implications For Policy

Abstract

Malaysian women exhibit a range of reactions to their experience of pregnancy termination. Personal narratives of these women illustrate the many cultural constructions, experiences and reasonings for terminating pregnancies. Pragmatic reasons for pregnancy termination appear primary in the decision-making process. The crisis is not a moral one. Rather it pertains to how women can fulfill their roles and responsibilities as wives, mothers and workers under changing family conditions. Women are held responsible for the preservation of family stability and family honor, and for selecting the type of intervention needed to preserve both.