Abortion is one of the issues that continue to divide the United States. Supporters of the procedure continue to argue based on prochoice where women have the fundamental right to make decisions about her reproductive health. On the other hand, critics continue to recognize the moral values associated with the preservation of life and safeguarding the unborn child. Equally, different legislation has sought to offer support in both sides providing guidelines on how the practice should be facilitated and implemented. By seeking to understand the differing points surrounding abortion, it can help develop the appreciation of the issue and in the end bring forward a particular stance surrounding the debate.
Supporting Claims
One of the central claims in support of abortion corresponds to the freedom of women to pursue this particular choice. Within the United States, this means that women remain to be entitled and have the fundamental right to seek out the practice of abortion. The most notable court decision to showcase this ‘fundamental right’ was the Supreme Court’s decision over Roe v. Wade in 1973. According to ProtectChoice.org, the decision maintains that “Characterizing this right as “fundamental” to a woman’s “life and future,” the Court held that the state could not interfere with the abortion decision unless it had a compelling, or very good reason to do so” (1). This decision remains to be groundbreaking for abortion because the U.S. Supreme Court recognized that this choice remains to be a fundamental right and privilege that women can seek to pursue.
Another argument that advances the practice of abortion seeks to examine how women remain to be responsible for their reproductive choices. Allowing women to engage in this practice enables them to become empowered and have the chance to control their bodies. By seeking to approve abortion, every woman has the choice of whether to have children or not. Equally, like Roe v. Wade, the court also ruled in favor of this thinking. This can particularly be seen with the 1992 case decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey. The case sought to provide specific requirements and guidelines among abortion clinics that would help promote informed consent and mitigate issues surrounding ‘undue burden’ (AbortionFacts.com 1). Having this approach enabled women to pursue the decision which they believe would benefit them the most and also advance the respect for their privacy.
Criticisms
Critics of abortion focus their arguments surrounding prolife. Opponents of abortion see the act as immoral and demonstrate a form of murder among the unborn children. This is because unborn babies are considered to be human beings and thus should be given the right to life. It is therefore the role of the State to protect the rights of the unborn from procedures that would intentionally kill their existence. That is why despite the ruling surrounding Roe v. Wade numerous states in the U.S. have passed a variety of laws restricting abortion because of their responsibility in safeguarding the rights of the unborn child (Markels 1). They sought to offer alternative ways where women can pursue another choice.
Another argument that challenges abortion corresponds to using the procedure as a form of contraception. From the perspective of women, using this method as birth control not only undermines contraceptive methods but also kill the lives of the unborn. Women who resort to this approach are not only demonstrating irresponsibility but creating a negative impression in the ability of the government to promote abortion as a method of last resort and not a procedure for convenience. That is why it is understandable that the case of Planned Parenthood v. Abbott demonstrates the inclination to control abortion clinics to offer services to women (American Civil Liberties Union 1). Clearly, there is a need to control or stop abortion as a practice because as the reality shows, it is being abused by women for their inability to handle their reproductive health.
Conclusion
Overall, the argument concerning abortion continues to divide society between prolife and prochoice. Equally, legislation have been evident that demonstrate support in the fundamental rights of women but at the same time recognizing the moral implications and challenges associated with the procedure. Based from the argument presented, I remain to support the practice among women. It remains to be their fundamental right to make decisions. Having this method as an alternative empowers women to pursue a choice that is comfortable to them (Pewforum.org 1). The promotion of abortion also provides women with an alternative on situations of difficult pregnancy or conditions where their lives are in danger. Based on this perspective, abortion can be a valuable course to take if the procedure can save the woman’s life. This reproductive choice remains to be essential since it not only protects their interests but also safeguards the woman from engaging to illegal abortion clinics that poses danger to their life.
However, it is also important to note that though this may seem to be the case, both the State and medical practitioners continue to have the responsibility of providing supportive standards and guidelines that would help provide information to women. The practice should be developed to offer a safe procedure and take into consideration the welfare of the women, physically, emotionally and psychologically.
Works Cited
AbortionFacts.com. Cases, 2013. Web. Accessed 28 July 2014.
American Civil Liberties Union. Planned Parenthood v. Abott, 27 Mar. 2014. Web. Accessed 28 July 24.
Markels, Alex. ‘Supreme Court’s Evolving Rulings on Abortion’ NPR.org. 30 Nov. 2005. Web. Accessed 28 July 2014.
Pewforum.org. ‘A History of Key Abortion Rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court’
ProtectChoice.org. Roe V. Wade. n.d. Web. Accessed 28 July 2014.