Abortion stigma in Mexico: Qualitative evidence from six states

Stigma, conceptualized as the symbolic “marking” and discrimination of individuals with certain socially undesirable characteristics, as a feature of abortion is under-researched. Although abortion stigma is common across contexts, its social manifestations largely depend on local political, institutional, religious, community-level and personal discourses. Abortion is legal in the first trimester in Mexico City, but remains heavily restricted elsewhere in the country. Abortion stigma is more prevalent in contexts where it is legally restricted. Concealing an abortion from friends and family to avoid stigma and suppressing thoughts about abortion is common and may have implications for psychological health and wellbeing.

This study explored the causes, experiences and consequences of abortion stigma in six Mexican states – Chiapas, Chihuahua, Jalisco, Oaxaca, Mexico City and Yucatán – with both the general population and women and men who had direct experience. In each state, we conducted three focus groups: men ages 24-40, women 24-40 and young women ages 18-24, and four in-depth interviews with women who have had an abortion and male partners.

Abortion stigma in Mexico reflects three prevalent ‘feminine' ideals put forth by Kumar and colleagues (2009): perpetual fecundity, the inevitability of motherhood, and instinctive nurturing. Both the wider community and people with direct experience discussed the shame and guilt associated with abortion and the role of secrecy in avoiding stigma. These sentiments were influenced by a widespread conservative Catholic discourse. Abortion stigma appears to be prevalent in Mexico and to vary by social, cultural and religious context and by legal circumstances.