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Year 11
AQA

Ethical arguments related to abortion

I can explain different ethical arguments about abortion, including pro-choice and pro-life perspectives.

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New
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Year 11
AQA

Ethical arguments related to abortion

I can explain different ethical arguments about abortion, including pro-choice and pro-life perspectives.

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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Abortion is defined as the deliberate ending of a pregnancy.
  2. In the UK, the 1967 Abortion Act legalised abortion under certain conditions.
  3. Pro-choice arguments support a woman's right to choose, emphasising her autonomy in making decisions about her own body.
  4. Many humanists believe a woman has the right to choose abortion.
  5. Pro-life arguments oppose abortion, focusing on the intrinsic value and right to life of the foetus.

Keywords

  • Abortion - the deliberate ending of a pregnancy

  • Foetus - the developing human from around eight weeks of pregnancy until birth

  • Intrinsic (value) - something is valuable just because it exists, regardless of its usefulness

  • Pro-choice - generally support a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion

  • Pro-life - generally opposed to abortion and in favour of the life of the foetus

Common misconception

Abortion debates are always clearly pro-life vs. pro-choice.

Many positions are more nuanced, e.g., some people who identify as pro-life accept abortion in certain circumstances, and some who are pro-choice may personally oppose abortion but support the legal right to choose.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Ethical arguments related to abortion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Abortion is a sensitive topic, so set clear expectations for a respectful and open discussion. Emphasise that students may have different views shaped by their backgrounds, beliefs or experiences.
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Adult supervision recommended

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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does the concept of the sanctity of life teach about human life?
human life is valuable only when it is free from suffering
Correct answer: human life is valuable because it is created by God and each person is unique
human life is only valuable when a person contributes to society
human life is valuable only if it leads to happiness
Q2.
Which Bible verse supports the idea that human life has intrinsic value from the moment of conception?
“You shall not steal.”
“So God created mankind in his own image.”
Correct answer: “You knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
“Blessed are the peacemakers.”
Q3.
Quakers believe that ...
life is valuable only in its early stages.
Correct answer: that everyone has a part of God within them, giving each life inherent value.
only religious people have sanctity of life.
life’s value depends entirely on its quality.
Q4.
The idea that life has value simply because it exists is called value.
Correct Answer: intrinsic, Intrinsic
Q5.
Christians believe that human life is sacred because it was created in the image of .
Correct Answer: God, god
Q6.
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that human life remains in a special relationship with the .
Correct Answer: Creator, creator

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is meant by the term ‘pro-life’?
supporting a woman’s right to choose abortion
Correct answer: selieving abortion is acceptable in all situations
opposing abortion and prioritizing the life of the foetus
supporting abortion as a medical procedure without restrictions
Q2.
Under the UK Abortion Act of 1967, which of the following is a legal requirement for abortion?
it must be requested by the woman’s family
it must be approved by at least one doctor
it must be performed before 20 weeks of pregnancy
Correct answer: it must be approved by two doctors
Q3.
What is a key argument used by pro-choice supporters?
the foetus has a right to life from conception
adoption is always a better option than abortion
Correct answer: a woman has the right to make decisions about her own body
abortion should be banned to protect potential life
Q4.
The deliberate ending of a pregnancy is called an .
Correct Answer: abortion, Abortion
Q5.
The developing human, from around eight weeks of pregnancy until birth, is known as a .
Correct Answer: foetus, Foetus
Q6.
The legal limit for most abortions in the UK is weeks.
Correct Answer: 24, twenty four, twenty-four

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