Why Abortion Rights are Fundamental
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Apr 3, 2024
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Why Abortion Rights are Fundamental
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Why Abortion Rights are Fundamental
`Several social issues in the US have been primarily politicized and are the subject of debate at different social levels. Yet, the lawfulness of abortion in the US remains one of the most contentious matters in the country to date. Abortion debates have seen the US divided into conservative (pro-life) and liberal (pro-choice) ideologies, all of which have today different approaches to the topic. One of the most impactful court rulings regarding abortion, Roe v. Wade, had, for close to fifty years, influenced policies and interventions regarding abortion in the US. However, the recent ruling by the US Supreme Court to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling
has not only had notable social impacts but has once again brought to the frontline the debate regarding abortion in the US and whether or not it should be legal. This paper takes a pro-choice stance on abortion rights and will argue evidence supporting this stance while also presenting some evidence refuting it in order to present an agreeable conclusion on the topic.
Women are often victims of sexual assault and, in some cases, might be reluctant to speak up on their ordeals. Surviving such traumatic ordeals can result in social isolation among victims, many of whom might not seek medical advice afterward (Mackenzie, 2020). Therefore, some women might not be aware if they are pregnant immediately after being victims of sexual assault such as rape. In the event they are aware, they need to have the right to decide if they want to abort or keep the pregnancy. Denying the right to abort because women having sex is knowingly increasing their chances of pregnancy does not account for traumatic situations such as sexual assault and abuse. It is essential to uphold abortion rights to give power back to women
and the right of choice over their bodies (Mackenzie, 2020). No government should have the power to dictate personal choices, and inhibiting abortion is essentially denying women the right over their bodies, which should be a fundamental right in any civilized society.
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Another motive why abortion should be endorsed is because it is an alternative medical practice. There are several cases of women having health snags during their pregnancies that might not only pose a threat to the life of the unborn child but also prove fatal to the mother. In such situations, healthcare professionals will often call for abortion in order to save one life rather than lose two. Denying the right to abortion not only poses significant health risks to potential mothers with health complications but also results in people taking back-door interventions to abort while staying clear of the law (Muldoon, 2021). The number of deaths related to botched abortions in the US has reduced significantly since the Roe v. Wade ruling but
will see an overall increase since it was overturned. The reason behind such outcomes is that an abortion ban will make it harder for women and, especially young girls with unwanted pregnancies, to access quality and safe abortion procedures from clinics in the country. Several women and families choose to abort not because of health complications but because of financial restrictions (Francome, 2024). With the inflation rate being higher than ever in the US, it has become progressively problematic for families, especially those in underserved communities, to make ends meet. Some families might opt for abortion because they lack the financial ability to take care of a newborn in today’s economy (Francome, 2024). Abortion rights
not only provide such options to unfortunate families but also aid women who lack insurance and
other financial resources to raise a family to make a choice. However, this argument has not only
been controversial but has contributed to many pro-life advocacies that argue for adoption instead of abortion. One of the most notable arguments in support of abortion bans is the option to adopt a child instead of abortion. Pro-life activists will argue that low-income families can opt to give up
a child for abortion instead of depriving the unborn child of a right to life. In many ways, this
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argument is reasonable and tries to find an agreeable alternative to abortion. However, adoption options are often not available for people from low-income families and backgrounds and thus might not necessarily prove to be a deterrent to abortion (Muldoon, 2021). It is essential to leave as many options available for families yet to decide on raising a child. All abortion arguments come down to the right of choice. The right of choice, especially for women, is fundamental, considering they get to carry the pregnancy and their lives are on the line. It is never too late to emphasize that no government should have the power over the right of choice, especially over our bodies, and it is for this reason that this paper takes a firm stance on abortion rights across the nation. The cons of the abortion ban greatly outweigh the possible pros, which makes abortion bans more harmful than the good that is intended. Additionally, abortion rights come to the fundamental values that the US represents. The right to freedom, which is a value by which the US was founded, should be represented in its laws, and abortion rights greatly uphold such values and not only make healthcare more accessible but also safe.
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References
Francome, C. (2024). Abortion Freedom
. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003478348
Mackenzie, C. (2020). Abortion and embodiment 1. Women, Medicine, Ethics and the Law
, 73–
92. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003073789-5
Muldoon, M. (2021). The Abortion Debate in the United States and Canada
. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315860725