Abortion is a highly debated topic across the nation. Abortion is the termination of a human fetus or embryo during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy. There are two major sides to the argument, pro- life and pro- choice. The pro- life party advocates that it is murder, the child should have the right to life, and that it can even damage the female body. The pro- choice party advocates that the woman should have a choice in a pregnancy, and in the case of rape or an unsupportive father the woman should not have to suffer with the consequences of having the child if she chooses not to. The main questions that are debated between the two parties are, is abortion morally wrong and should abortion be legal or illegal?
Those who believe that abortion is morally wrong identify themselves as “pro- life”. They preach that the unborn child has a right to life and that it should be protected. It’s also debated that in the fifth and fourteenth amendments protects the unborn child’s life by ensuring the right to life to `persons”. It is also argued that the fetus may not even be a person, depending on the medical or theological perspective one holds. Although, the Supreme court declared that they are not in the position to provide answers on when human life begins. Many also believe that life is a gift from God, and that we are not in the position to take it away. The pro- life party also argue that abortion is just an easy way out of pregnancy. That if a woman is so worried about having a child, she should not have sex at all. That being abstinent is key! She should also take precautions like using condoms and birth control, while understanding that even though these protections are being used, they are not full proof. In the case of having the child she is responsible for it. Another reason why people are pro- life is because they don’t think that the mother should have complete control. They question why the mother gets to make the decision if she is going to keep it or not, when the father may want to keep it. The father should have rights to the unborn child, and if the said child is born, he would be required by law to take care of it. They believe that the father should have a say especially when he is willing to raise the child. Abortion can also cause damage to the womb. In some cases, abortion can cause the uterine wall to scar the cervix and make it more difficult to get pregnant again. By having an abortion, you can also risk future mental health and becoming anemic.
Those who believe that abortion is okay to do in the situation of an unplanned pregnancy, even in the case where it’s not their pregnancy identify themselves as “pro-choice”. They are pro- choice because they believe that women should have the right to decide what happens to their bodies. They think that the growing fetus does not have a right to life and is not recognized as an individual. Pro- choice advocated “my body my choice”. That the growing fetus is just a part of the mother. The father does not have a say in any part of the process at all. He is not allowed to have a say on keeping the child, even if he agrees with taking care of it. A child comes with a lot of responsibility that not everyone can handle. Pro – choice debates that a woman should be allowed to get an abortion based on this reason. They argue that some people can’t even take care of themselves much less a child. If the mother does not have the means to take care of the unborn child, she should be allowed to make the decision that is best for her. They also advocate that yes, you could put the child up for adoption, but that foster care and causes an overflow in the orphanage. They would rather allow mothers to abort their unborn child so that they do not put more stain on adoption services and foster care.
Whether you are pro- life or pro- choice the debate is going to continue for years. It is a tough subject and does not have an easy solution. It’s your decision to decide what is moral and what is not. Do you think that abortion should be legal or illegal? Do your research and discover for yourself, don’t follow other opinions. If you so choose to pick one side, exercise your right and vote. It is the best way to make sure your voice is heard and to stand with what you think is right.
Works Cited
- Arambepola, Carukshi, and Lalini C. Rajapaksa. “Risk of Unsafe Abortion Associated with Long-Term Contraception Behaviour: A Case Control Study from Sri Lanka.” BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth, vol. 17, June 2017, pp. 1–10. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1186/s12884-017-1376-7.
- BOLCE, LOUIS. “Abortion and Presidential Elections: The Impact of Public Perceptions of Party and Candidate Positions.” Presidential Studies Quarterly, vol. 18, no. 4, 1988, pp. 815–829. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/40574732. Accessed 4 Mar. 2020.
- ‘Future Of Abortion At Stake In US Supreme Court Case’. Newstex Blogs International Business Times News, March 4, 2020 Wednesday. advance-lexis-com.tamusa.idm.oclc.org/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:5YBR-CBP1-F03R-N41D-00000-00&context=1516831. Accessed March 4, 2020.
- Marcin, Raymond B. ‘Posterity in the Preamble and the Positivist Pro-Life Position.’ American Journal of Jurisprudence, 38, 1993, p. 273-296. HeinOnline, https://heinonline-org.tamusa.idm.oclc.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/ajj38&i=277.
- Tuggy, Stephen. ‘When Pro-Life and Pro-Choice Meet.’ Christian Lawyer, vol. 9, no. 1, 2013, p. 37-[i]. HeinOnline, https://heinonline-org.tamusa.idm.oclc.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/chrilwy9&i=39.
