The salient point in the current discussion on abortion is the welfare of the woman, whether she completes her pregnancy or terminates it.

Welfare in this sense is not so much about morality or religion but, more fundamentally, about equity and humanity. The manner in which society treats single mothers, in particular, is a significant reason why they select to terminate their pregnancy.

Many of those who would discourage abortion either do little to integrate single mothers into the community of parents, or discriminate against them by denying them all the benefits that married mothers could expect.

While some discussion focused on the harm suffered by post-abortive women, such moral paternalism is not matched by support for single mothers through calls for greater societal acceptance.

This is hypocritical and works to encourage the decisions that those with this mindset would otherwise discourage. Also, many single women are financially unable to continue their pregnancy or are rejected by family support. We should have compassion.

To turn our backs on the mother is to indirectly reject the foetus, too.

Making life difficult for women who wish to end their pregnancy as well as those who wish to be single parents makes no sense for a society where birth rates are critical and responsible citizenship in sharing communities is cherished.

Married women are also not insignificant users of abortion services. They can be motivated by the pressures of a hectic lifestyle in which employment and family responsibilities seem already insurmountable.

It appears that we expect a Singaporean superwoman: Mother, wife, caregiver, educator, employee and impeccable at all times.

Such demands do not take into account the woman’s welfare as an individual and the equity in the support given to her in making a critical choice about the life she has a right to enjoy.

I have worked in countries such as Ireland, where abortion is banned and single women are terrified of pregnancy.

In these communities, attitudes to relationship building and balanced sexual engagement are cloaked in moral restriction and community stigma. Young people get messages from those around them that standards are imposed, not shared.

Pregnancy is not simply a matter for married couples, or of moral coding or population planning.

It has as much to do with the integrity of women and creating the right environment for childbirth as it does with arguments about the right choice to make and the penalties otherwise.

Social values are not strengthened and confirmed by penalties or financial disincentives. Values are organically reflected in the way society supports the integrity of those in crisis.