Abortion is among the most controversial of issues in American politics today, and can be seen as a fight against killing a fetus, while others are willing to argue that they are infringing on their personal freedoms. It is a woman’s right to choose what she does with her body, and no one entity should be able to decide how to take away such choices.
These freedoms are given and protected by the Constitution. Regardless of this major debate, there are approximately 1.5 million abortions performed every year.Prior to the 1960’s, there were few laws to protect expecting mothers seeking abortion for it was not socially acceptable and often difficult to find reputable institutions willing to do the operation.
As a result, most procedures were risky and performed under unsanitary conditions. There were many young women who preferred the chance of death over the shame from an unwanted child and from this, it would seem clear that the laws on abortion were in desperate need of reform.During the past three decades, several cases have been fought to give American women the right to choose. In 1965, Griswold vs. Connecticut upheld the right to women’s privacy and ended the ban on birth control.
Then in 1973, Roe vs. Wade extended privacy rights to cover abortion and created a system to regulate a pregnancy timeline, also defining the conditions and restrictions of the procedure. Shortly after in 1976, in the case of Planned Parenthood vs. Danforth, the courts declared spousal and parental consent laws to be unconstitutional. The most recent case to hit the Supreme Court was in 1992, Planned Parenthood vs.
Casey, which added twenty-four hour waiting periods as well as record keeping requirements. Parental consent was mandated but also allowed for a judicial bypass. Women had to be informed of prenatal development, potential risks and alternative options to abortion before any procedure could be preformed.Despite the legal wrangling, not much has been done to define when life begins or the guidelines to determine unhealthy pregnancies. With open ended definitions laid out by the Supreme Court, American parties began to differ on the topic. Each individual has their own personal opinion on the matter; and soon, Pro Life and Pro Choice movements quickly spread throughout the nation.
Pro Life activists believe that all forms of abortion are wrong and no different than murder. They argue that every baby should have a chance to be born; however a number of these members support early termination for victims of rape or incest, which is a hypocritical stance. They also recognize that women who have gotten pregnant accidentally may not be ready or yet willing to be mothers. In these circumstances, pro lifers insist women consider other alternatives, which include adoption, enrolling in a support service or even relying on family to help raise the child. Pro life doesn’t necessarily mean that the woman must care for the child until it is eighteen; just to care for the child long enough for it to be born.Pro Choice activists believe that only the woman who is pregnant has the right to decide the future of her own pregnancy.
It is ultimately her choice to abort, seek out adoption, to carry full term and whether or not she will raise her baby. Whatever her decision may be, it should not be swayed by any government agency or public opinions. Some advocates of this movement believe that an unwanted child is better off being aborted rather than being born and neglected. Children that are born often end up in state facilities and programs that are already overburdened. Members of Pro Choice aren’t advocating the use of abortion as a form of birth control.
Pro Choice supporters also agree that abortion is not the only answer to an unwanted pregnancy; they just ask that abortion be made a legal and safe procedure available to any woman seeking one.Although many actions have been taken to settle this debate little has been done resolve the issue. The main cause of debate is surrounded by the idea of whether the induced expulsion of the fetus is murder or if it is in the best interest of the mother. When a fetus is considered alive and what constitutes as unhealthy for a mother? If a mother has no means of supporting her baby should she rely on public assistance? Some believe that God chooses the time of life and death not the mother.
The rest turn to science and the legal system. Since abortion is currently legal in all fifty states, it’s ultimately unto the mother make the choice. With the support of family, friends, doctors and support groups women are better educated and are making smarter choices.
