abortion,infertility,&birth control
Unplanned pregnancies can be scary. There are many circumstances that can make this
a terrifying situation; it can affect the mother’s body permanently, stand in the way of her
education and career and can also change family dynamic (BBC). For these reasons and many
more, women turn to the choice of abortion. “The right to end a pregnancy is about many things:
saving women’s lives and health and even their fertility” (Pollitt). Suzanne Trupin, an MD, says
“More than 40% of all women will end a pregnancy by abortion at some time in their
reproductive lives”. It often feels that when you become pregnant you have very limited options,
abort the baby or take it to term. It is only fair that a child comes into this world with both a loving
mother and father (ProCon), but reality shows us that sadly is not always the case. When fears creep in, it can seem like the most logical choice is abortion.
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One of the most commonly shared mindsets among those who support abortion is the philosophy of moral relativism (Westacott). This is a very studied and ancient thought process that declares each human has specific individual standards for right and wrong, and no other individual can force consequences on any other, as their morals might not be the same, and therefore invalid. This belief also proclaims that there is no absolute truth that applies to the morals of all humanity. In a pro-abortion context, this argument might be used like this:
Q: “So, do you support abortion?”
A: “Well personally I am against it, but my beliefs shouldn’t have an impact on any other woman’s right to choose.”
Notice how the subject is personally against abortion, but not to the point of enforcing rules against it to other people. This is a very common phenomena with this argument.
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Many pro-choice individuals also assert that when abortion is legalized, it becomes much safer because the procedure is conducted by a professional. Many women find a way around the law when not legalized and are willing to take the risk. “Illegal abortions are unsafe and account for 13% of all deaths of women because of serious complications” (Trupin). Legalized abortions can educate woman of the process, could possibly give them comfort knowing it’s from a viable source, and can in extreme cases, be safer than carrying a baby to term (Trupin). In the famous Roe vs. Wade case, the US Supreme Court had come to the decision that abortion is a fundamental right (ProCon). This case was seen among the pro-choice community as a huge step in equality for women. “Women need free access to abortion in order to achieve full political, social, and economic equality with men” (BBC). Revoking this right, once declared constitutional, has stirred up a great debate across the country.
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No matter the argument however, it is folly to say that abortion has no effect on the family or the citizens of this country. Abortion minimalizes the integrity and sacredness of pregnancy, and instead of celebrating the woman’s body as a complicated life-giving instrument sanctioned by God himself, treats it as a machine that inconveniently grows non-living humans in need of termination. Abortion also undermines the intricate balance between choices and consequences, stating that a choice can be reversed, and the consequences escaped, even at the cost of an innocent’s life. This is harmful to women and their own personal feelings of integrity and emotional stability. In fact, of the one million women who receive medical abortions each year in the US, above 280,000 of them believe, within two years, that their procedure was more harmful then beneficial (Christiansen).