Abortion and Women's Rights

Running head: ABORTION AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS

Abortion and Women's Rights

University of Phoenix

Abortion and Women's Rights

The topic of Abortion in the United States has been one of much controversy for the past decade. Not only have women’s rights changed and improved, many feel that for this very reason the role of women in society has overshadowed nature’s role which is to become a mother. In addition to the legalization of abortion, our government has placed certain policies in effect when performing these procedures.

On January 22, 1973 our nation’s views on the topic of abortion changed forever with the case of Roe vs. Wade. On this date the Supreme Court made the decision to recognize the right to privacy as being “broad enough to encompass a woman’s decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy.” Before it became legal, abortion was performed in some of the most undesirable circumstances. Illegal abortions were performed often times by unlicensed/ and untrained providers, that usually put the woman at risk. The only other option at this time was to continue with the pregnancy. Many people felt, and still feel that these are the most important reasons to keep abortion legal and with no restrictions. Women who argue this same point also feel that it is the governments’ way of actually controlling a woman’s body. Some also feel strongly that “back alley” abortions would increase if abortions was illegal, risking the life of the mother.

The controversy with abortions comes with the argument of those individuals against this act. Those who are Pro-Life advocates often state that abortion is a form of murder and that it devalues human life. Many of these advocates for life also emphasize the facts that there are many other forms of birth control, and that there is a significant amount of psychological damage that happens to these women after such a traumatic experience of an abortion. Lastly the Pro-Life advocates also make the point that while these...