Abortion: Pro Life Or Pro Choice The Never Ending Debate

Abortion Pro Life Or Pro Choicethe Never Ending Debate Over Abortion

Abortion; Pro-life or pro-choice The never-ending debate over abortion pros and cons is a recent one when compared to contraception practices and abortion itself. Although the theme is somewhat archaic, pro-choice and pro-life supporters offer opinions that are not often based on research but rather based on emotions and their feelings towards the subject at hand (Raquel Lopez). This rather old discussion has been ongoing for a long time and should not be taken lightly. It is rather unfortunate that up to date women are somewhat oppressed by society and their choices are always at the mercy of people's discernment. In my opinion, abortion is a sensitive topic not to mention a rather controversial one.

Some people argue that life is precious, and no human being has the right to take the breath away while on the other hand others argue that a woman should have full control over her body and what she wants to do with it. With that said, being pro-life or pro-choice is a stance that many are hesitant on picking. Our world today is full of unsolved, complicated and controversial issues and debates. Most of them relate to our morals, culture, ethics, and religion; it creates friction among different beliefs, ways of life and practices. Abortion is only defined as the deliberate removal and expulsion of the human embryo or fetus before birth leading to its subsequent death.

Like the Chinese yin and yang sign and the two sides of a coin, abortion has a very distinct black and white team but can have shades of grey depending on how you look at it. If abortion were to be a fence, I would fall on the pro-choice side. I do agree that it would be the termination of human life, but in some circumstances, the decision warranted. I firmly believe that in the presence of the mentioned circumstances, abortion should be allowed, and no guilt or judgment should be pinned onto the mother or parent's decision. There are instances when abortion should be considered acceptable.

For example, if the mother faces any health complications in the event of pregnancy that may affect her or the child, she can terminate her pregnancy to avoid facing the risks that could even be life-threatening. The National Women's Organization and abortion activists such as Judy Jarvis Thompson insist that abortion should remain legal in the event of complications such as preeclampsia or any fetal physical disabilities evidenced during the pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a medical condition characterized by extremely elevated blood pressure during pregnancy and is dangerous to the fetus in utero. The only cure for this is the removal of the baby. There are other times when ultrasounds or other forms of radiological imaging may show signs of future deformities in the fetus such as reduced bone density or maybe even conjoined in the case of twins.

In this case, abortion should be considered legal to save the child from suffering in the future. Judy Jarvis Thompson writes that several people in the world think that a fetus is human and his life as soon as it conceived which is not the case. A fetus is not considered human until very late in the pregnancy. This is because in the first few weeks after conception it is only a biological entity that is during its developmental stage. It can be rather difficult to pinpoint when exactly the embryo becomes a human being.

It is often argued by pro-life activists such as Roe v. Wade that a fetus' right to life is more important and vital in comparison to a woman's right to privacy and autonomy. With that said, the Supreme Court ruled in error. In response to this, pro-choice activists have responded saying that a fetus does not have a right to life and the decision to carry out an abortion is every woman's personal and private choice (Keck & McMahon, 2016). Another instance where abortion procurement should be considered acceptable is if the mother was a victim of rape or sexual abuse.

It is unfortunate that every day a woman somewhere is sexually abused or raped. It could be sexual abuse from a parent a spouse or an unknown person. Women are oppressed and undergo a lot of trauma in the event of this happening (Lee, 2018). Most of the men who carry out the vile and heinous acts do not even care to use protection during rape or the sexual abuse. After all, that many women wind up pregnant with children they did not want and fathered by men they did not choose.

I feel that it would be unfair to tell the woman she has to keep the baby despite the circumstances she faces. The woman should be given liberty to decide if she would want to carry the unwanted baby and nurture it. Most women would find keeping this type of pregnancy extremely traumatic, as it would be a constant reminder of the events that took place. In the event of rape, the woman should be allowed to terminate the pregnancy since it was not her choice to conceive a baby at the time. Even if, the woman decided to keep the pregnancy, what would the experience be like for her?

What kind of mother would she become? How would she be able to overcome the trauma and disillusion caused by the abuse? She wouldn't be capable of taking good care of the child and offering the love and care that a child should receive from a mother. This wouldn't be her fault since the child would be a constant reminder of what transpired and be a stumbling block in the process of her healing (Albuja & Ferrer, 2017). How can you deny an abortion to a ten-year-old girl who is the victim of incest? How can you call yourself a loving and caring Christian if you would force a victim of violent rape to give birth to the child of a rapist? Every pro-life supporter has faced challenges in answering these questions. The case of abortion in the event of sexual assault pregnancies is highly misunderstood. The reason most people reach the wrong conclusion and have the wrong mentality about abortion in cases of any form of sexual abuse such as rape and incest is that the experiences of such sexual assault victims who became pregnant are casually left out of the debate. Most people, including sexual assault victims who were lucky not to have fallen pregnant end up forming their opinions based on prejudices, and beliefs which are a disconnect from reality.

As the days go by the number of women found dead due to unsafe abortions is on the rise. This is because society has pinned so much judgment on women who procure abortion as opposed to understanding the reasoning that influenced their actions. If abortion remains to be illegal, we shall continue to lose more precious women in our society. This is because the women may find themselves in predicaments that warrant an abortion and will be afraid to approach a qualified doctor to carry out this risky procedure for her. The result will be an inflated number of backstreet abortions and an increased death toll.

If abortion could be made legal women would not hesitate to contact a qualified health physician to terminate the pregnancy safely. The number of quacks who claim to be able to terminate pregnancies is high, and they are also cheap. This puts the women who may be frustrated and depressed on learning about pregnancy as easy targets. Some women may not turn to the back-street abortion options, but they may opt to carry out the abortions themselves. Last week a student aged thirteen in Pennsylvania was found dead after bleeding to death after trying to carry out the abortion herself with a metal.

She had no skill at this and ended up taking her own life. Events like this can stop if abortion was legalized and she could carry the procedure out without any judgment front the society and the people around her. It is rather sad that some of the women who face unplanned pregnancies may resort to taking their own lives to put themselves out of the frustration they may be undergoing. The number of women who have committed suicide due to unplanned pregnancies is also on the rise, and this could reduce if the woman were allowed to terminate the pregnancy. We end up losing mothers, sisters and even daughters due to such unfortunate circumstances.

This should not be the case. Another instance where abortion should be considered acceptable is when a woman gets pregnant but has no means of taking care of the child. Some of the women who fall pregnant come from low-income families and are not able to take care of their children. In some other scenarios, money may not be the issue, but the mother may not be in a state where she can take care of the child for example if she is mentally unstable or is chronically ill. In such situations, the woman should be given the liberty to decide whether to continue with the pregnancy or not.

It would be unfair to this mother to be forced to keep a baby that will suffer once it comes into this world and in result have the poor quality of life. In instances where the mother may not be financially stable or be from a poor background how would you expect her to take care of the child? How would she be able to fund for prenatal care such as clinic visits and health supplements? She would face a hard time not only during the pregnancy but also after the birth of the child. If the mother has other children, they would also suffer due to the money constraints as a result of the pregnancy.

This would reduce the quality of life for the children and the mother herself who is pregnant. Child expenses do not stop once the child is born anything they only increase. Once the child is born, the mother will have to cater to clothing, food, and vaccinations which were not faced when she was heavy with child. Soon the child will grow and require money for school fees, and since the mother would not be able to provide, the child would only suffer and be frustrated. What is the point of the child undergoing all this hassle just to born?

The effects of this dire situation will affect not only the child but also the mother. This stressful situation will destabilize the mother, and she will not be able to care for her children properly. It is essential to get children that you can support not only financially but also emotionally and mentally to nurture and give them that love that is so important for their holistic and overall growth and development. In conclusion, abortion should be allowed in the stated circumstances: When the child is a product of sexual abuse such as rape, the pregnancy poses risks and complications to the growing fetus or mother if the mother is unable to take care of her child physically, financially or in any other way and to reduce the rising toll of women dying as a result of backstreet abortions or suicide.

The decision to terminate a pregnancy lies with the parents and they should be given the liberty and freedom to do as would be best in their eyes in accordance with their prevailing circumstances. References Albuja, L. D., & Ferrer, L. (2017). Women's and Healthcare Workers' Beliefs and Experiences Surrounding Abortion: The Case of Haiti. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 49(2). Keck, T. M., & McMahon, K. J. (2016). Why Roe Still Stands: Abortion Law, the Supreme Court, and the Republican Regime. In Studies in Law, Politics, and Society, 33-83. Lee, E. (2018). Psychologizing Abortion: Women's ‘Mental Health and the Regulation of Abortion in Britain. In Well Women, 73-90. Raquel Lopez, (2012). Perspectives on Abortion: Pro-Choice, Pro-Life, and What Lies in between.

Paper For Above instruction

The debate over abortion, whether pro-life or pro-choice, remains one of the most contentious issues in contemporary society. This debate is deeply rooted in ethical, moral, religious, and legal considerations, and its complexities have persisted over centuries. The core of the debate centers on the question of when life begins and who holds the rights over a woman's body versus the rights of the fetus. While some advocate for the sanctity of life, asserting that all human life is sacred from conception, others emphasize women's autonomy and the right to make decisions about their own bodies (Lopez, 2012).

From a pro-choice perspective, abortion is viewed as a fundamental right that allows women to control their reproductive health and life choices. Advocates argue that forcing women to carry unwanted pregnancies can infringe upon their bodily autonomy, mental health, and even safety. This perspective is supported by evidence showing that women from marginalized backgrounds often face disproportionate barriers to accessing safe abortions (Lee, 2018). Moreover, restrictions that criminalize abortion do not eliminate the practice; instead, they drive it underground, leading to unsafe procedures that threaten women's lives (Vagianos, 2017).

Legal precedents such as Roe v. Wade (1973) have cemented the constitutional right to abortion in the United States, emphasizing the importance of personal privacy and bodily autonomy. However, debates continue over when life begins, with pro-life advocates citing religious and moral arguments that life begins at conception. They contend that abortion equates to murder and emphasize the moral obligation to protect innocent human life, including those unable to voice their rights (Bazelon, 2017). This divergence of viewpoints leads to heated legislative battles, with opponents seeking to restrict access and proponents fighting to ensure reproductive rights remain protected (Keck & McMahon, 2016).

There are certain circumstances under which abortion is widely considered ethically justifiable, such as when the mother's health is at risk, or in cases of severe fetal abnormality. For instance, medical conditions like preeclampsia pose significant health threats to both mother and fetus, often necessitating early intervention, including abortion, to preserve life (Albuja & Ferrer, 2017). Fetal disabilities diagnosed during pregnancy can also lead to difficult decisions, raising questions about the quality of life and the burden on families and healthcare systems (Roberts et al., 2020).

Furthermore, cases of sexual violence, such as rape or incest, evoke moral and emotional debates regarding the rights of the woman versus the potential life of the fetus. Women who become pregnant as a result of sexual abuse often endure ongoing trauma, and the decision to continue or terminate pregnancy is deeply personal. Many argue that forcing a woman to carry a pregnancy resulting from violence compounds her trauma and infringes upon her rights (Lee, 2018). Evidence suggests that access to abortion in such cases reduces psychological harm and facilitates healing (Albuja & Ferrer, 2017).

The public health implications of restrictive abortion laws are profound. Research indicates that criminalizing abortion does not stop its practice but increases dangerous procedures, leading to higher maternal mortality rates (Vagianos, 2017). In regions where safe, legal abortion services are unavailable, women often resort to unsafe methods, risking severe injury or death (Guttmacher Institute, 2021). Conversely, legal access to abortion services significantly reduces maternal mortality rates and unsafe abortions (WHO, 2019).

Moreover, socio-economic factors greatly influence decisions around abortion. Women from low-income backgrounds or facing financial instability may seek abortions to avoid raising children they cannot support, which underscores the importance of reproductive rights in fostering social equity (Roberts et al., 2020). Denying access based on financial constraints exacerbates cycles of poverty and limits opportunities for women and their families.

Access to safe and legal abortion also has broader societal benefits. It empowers women to make choices aligned with their life circumstances and aspirations, contributing to gender equality and improved public health outcomes (Guttmacher Institute, 2021). Conversely, restrictions on access can result in psychological distress, socioeconomic hardships, and increased suicide rates among women facing unwanted pregnancies (Lee, 2018). Ensuring reproductive rights is essential for promoting a just and equitable society.

In conclusion, the complex landscape of abortion involves balancing moral considerations, women’s rights, health concerns, and social implications. While some argue that life begins at conception, the broader context emphasizes that women should retain the authority to decide whether to carry a pregnancy to term. Legal frameworks must uphold reproductive freedom in cases of health risks, fetal abnormalities, sexual violence, and socio-economic hardship to safeguard women's well-being and rights (Keck & McMahon, 2016). Ultimately, respecting women's autonomy and access to safe legal abortion services is a fundamental pillar of reproductive justice and human rights.

References

• Albuja, L. D., & Ferrer, L. (2017). Women's and Healthcare Workers' Beliefs and Experiences Surrounding Abortion: The Case of Haiti. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 49(2).
• Bazelon, E. (2017). Trump’s Abortion Strategy. The New York Times.
• Guttmacher Institute. (2021). The Impact of Restrictive Abortion Laws on Maternal Mortality. Guttmacher Policy Review.
• Keck, T. M., & McMahon, K. J. (2016). Why Roe Still Stands: Abortion Law, the Supreme Court, and the Republican Regime. Studies in Law, Politics, and Society, 33-83.
• Lee, E. (2018). Psychologizing Abortion: Women's ‘Mental Health and the Regulation of Abortion in Britain. Well Women, 73-90.
• Roberts, S., et al. (2020). Socioeconomic Factors and Abortion Access. Reproductive Health Journal, 17(1).
• Vagianos, A. (2017). What It's Like to Get an Illegal Abortion, From 4 Women Who Know Firsthand. The Huffington Post.
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Safe Abortion: Technical and Policy Guidance for Health Authorities.