Abortion- A Woman’s Divine Right Tameka A. Severson SOC 120 Introduction to Ethics & Social Responsibility Instructor: Theodore Framan April 16, 2012 The topic of abortion is one of the most controversial of our times. The fight between pro-life and pro-choice supporters has been long and brutal. This is because individuals can be a bit “close minded” and refuse to view any other beliefs or ideas other than their own. Although I support the act of abortion, when it all boils down, it is a right and the circumstance at hand really depends on the particular individual. Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability.
The relgious aspects of abortion do not go along with Pro-Choice. Religons like Catholics or Protestants believe that a fetus is a person from conception (West Encyclopedia of American Law 3). So to them abortion goes against the Sixth Commandment of the Bible, "Thou shalt not kill" (ProCon 2). Many people do not agree with late term abortions, such as in the second and third trimester, made by reasons of convenience (Saad 1). By this time the baby can surely feel pain.
These are all reason that could be avoided, and save many lives in the early stages. One controversial reason a woman might have an abortion is if she has been raped. There are very few cases like this, and in the instance of pregnancy resulting from rape, Linda Lowen informs us “proper medical care can ensure that a woman will not get pregnant” (Abortion Arguments). Overall, the most common reason for having an abortion is that “over 95 percent… [are] women who simply do not want to have a baby” (Abortion is Murder). Women who get pregnant and are not ready to accept the responsibility should not let this result in the death of a human
Many people believe life begins at conception, others believe life doesn’t begin until the baby is born. When people believe in abortion they’re pro-choice, when they don’t believe in abortion its pro-life. There is no way to say either one is right or wrong as a fact because abortion is against the law. Or should it be? A babies heart begins beating just after 21 days after conception, many abortions happen much after that.
Women across the country who must go through the traumatizing horrors of abortion are often categorized as shameful. They are judged enough already and certainly don’t deserve to bear the burden of ugly legislation. Planned Parenthood is an organization who supports women’s rights and is in disagreement with the things that they must put women through because of these regulations. A recent bill in Texas called the “Women’s Right to Know Act” was passed and requires women to make at least two visits to the abortion clinic before the
The Last Abortion Clinic Americans are still struggling with this intense issue regarding abortion. In The Last Abortion Clinic, FRONTLINE explores the efforts by pro-life advocates to help pass state legislation restricting access to abortion. The video examines the successes of the pro-life movement and touches upon the age-old balance between state and federal authority over Americans' lives. Some major issues that fall within the federal protection vs. those granted to the states by the 10th Amendment, also called the reserved powers amendment because it aims to reserve powers to the states (page 60). The pro-life movement has dramatically changed the landscape of abortion politics.
One of the most ethical controversial issues being debated now in United States is whether late- term abortion should be banned or not. Most people argued that it is proper to ban late-term abortion. They believe that it is un-ethical and a murder of an unborn child not a right of freedom of choice. It is an immoral act and violates the social and religious norms. On the other hand some people argued that late-term abortion should not be banned because it is necessary to terminate a fetus when the life of the woman is in danger as a result of complicated pregnancy; or when pregnancy result from incest or rape and the woman may be late in finding out that she is pregnant.
Issue 2 Aborti “In the mid-to-late 1800's, all states passed laws making it illegal to perform or attempt to perform an abortion. These laws were supported by the medical community, which noted abortion's moral implications and danger to women. During this time period, notable activists in the women's suffrage movement, such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, spoke out against abortion in their efforts to protect women and children.”(1.Focus on the Family Issue Analysts) From the start Abortion was said and proven to be unsafe and the important and well educated people of that time error fought against it. While abortion was prohibited and deemed as illegal the malicious acts continued to be performed. “The term, "back-alley abortion," became slang for illegal abortions.” ( 1.Focus on the Family Issue Analysts).
Partial-birth abortions, abortions in the third trimester, and the recent “day-after” or RU-486 pill now add a new aspect to the issue. Partial-birth abortions and abortions in the third trimester are exceedingly controversial. In these procedures it doesn’t involve the expulsion of an embryo, but it involves the actual termination of a fetus from a womb. It has been outlawed in the United States a result of numerous outraged pro-life advocates and some pro-choice who found it to be utterly inhumane. The RU-486 is said to be no more controversial than any other aspect of an abortion.
In 20th century many western countries were successful in getting abortion bans repealed, but this legality is regularly challenged by anti-abortionist groups. Laws have actually never stopped abortion; it is a universal practice present since the beginning of time, whether legal or illegal. Should Abortion be legalized or does it pose a threat to humanity? This question is one of the most divisive and controversial issues of all time. It is not a social issue of mere preferences, but an issue about life and death.