Opinion | The Human Cost of Restricting Abortion

As lawmakers consider enacting restrictions on abortion, they should be mindful of the consequences. Unwanted pregnancies become unwanted children, and unwanted children are prone to depression, anxiety, addiction and other social and emotional disorders. That’s especially true when their mothers are young and immature, unable to handle the responsibilities of parenthood.

I’ve seen it in my practice, and research confirms it: The scars from growing up unwanted can become evident during childhood and last into adulthood. According to three studies published between 2011 and 2013, children born from unintended pregnancies showed a cognitive delay at age 3, a propensity for behavioral problems at 5 and 7, and a heightened likelihood of substance abuse and other difficulties at 14.