Effects for Men 


Many factors influence how a man will respond to an abortion e.g. his background, values and beliefs, the part he has played in the decision and the actual process, current situation and ambitions... Thoughts and feelings before or after an abortion depend on whether or not he allows himself to get in touch with his feelings surrounding the pregnancy and abortion, and realises what the abortion means in real terms. This realisation may not happen till later in life, when his situation and circumstances change, for example, to include a family.     
Men can be affected by abortion in similar ways as women and many have reported post-abortion problems such as:

• feelings of grief and helplessness,
• feelings of guilt and shame
• depression
• sexual dysfunction
• substance abuse
• self-hatred
• self-esteem and confidence problems
• fear of relationships
• increased risk taking and suicidal behaviour
• greater tendencies to becoming angry or violent
• a sense of lost manhood (1)

It needs to be understood that talking about abortion is an even greater taboo for men than for women. If a man wants to shed a tear, he had better do it privately. If he feels that the abortion had denied him his child, he had better work it through himself.(2) Typical male grief includes remaining silent and grieving alone. In the silence a man can harbour guilt and doubts about his ability to protect himself and those he loves. Some become depressed and or anxious, others controlling, demanding and directing. Still others become enraged and failure in any relationship can trigger hostility from their disenfranchised grief. A guilt-ridden tormented man does not easily love of accept love.(3)
The attitude of the male partner is an important factor in how a woman might adjust after the abortion. Some studies found support from the partner to be an important predictor of good adjustment afterwards, but more recently, research findings indicate that his accompanying her to the abortion is often a predictor of greater post-abortion depression. (4)
The existence of a stable relationship may heighten ambivalence about the abortion for a woman.(5) If a spouse or partner is perhaps initially non-accepting or hostile about the pregnancy and she feels she is doing it for him to protect the relationship, or if she is feeling subtly coerced or manipulated, and is wondering about the depth of intimacy and questioning his commitment to the relationship, then after the abortion there may be a build up of resentment and increased likelihood of anger and depression.(6)
Sally had been involved with her partner for only six months and they conceived while using the rhythm method. Her partner was very distressed because he had impregnated his previous partner, who claimed to have been using contraception. She gave birth around the time that Sally had conceived. Sally said, “My partner was totally traumatised and rushed out to obtain a vasectomy.” Sally had an abortion. (p288, Experiencing Abortion, Eve Kushner, New York:Harrington Park Press, 1997)

References:
1.  Men and Abortion - A Path to Healing, C.T. Coyle, Ph.D. Life Cycle Books, Canada 1999 
2.  Portraits of Post-Abortive Fathers, Devastated by the Abortion Experience, Strahan, Thomas, Assoc. for Interdisciplinary Research in Values and Social Change, 7(3), Nov/Dec 1994 
3.  The Effects of Abortion on Men, Rue, Vincent, Ethics and Medics 21(4):3-4, 1996 
3.  Psychosocial and Emotional Consequences of Elective Abortion: A Literature Review, in Paul Sachdev, ed., Abortion: Readings and Research, Toronto: Butterworth, 1981, p65-75 
5.  The Abortion Choice: Psychological Determinants and Consequences, God, et al., 1984, 
6.  Identifying High Risk Abortion Patients, Post Abortion Review Vol 1, No 3, 1993 


​