ABORTION

Abortion

Abortion

Introduction

Abortion is an issue which has recently become a common focus of diverse and powerful debate in various societies, especially the United States. One of the most argumentative topics discussed is whether or not abortion is morally ethical. More than 40% of all women will terminate a pregnancy by abortion at some point in their reproductive lives (Stacey OL). Despite the disagreement of many people, abortion is one of the most universal medical procedures preformed in the United States every single year. Although abortion is opposed by many people, it should remain legal, as it is a woman's right to control her own body(Swomley, 1991).

History of Abortion

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus. Abortion has created the opportunity for women to abort unwanted, unexpected pregnancies, yet has created an exceedingly amount of controversy. Abortion protects the health of women obtaining abortions, but also upsets many people. Abortion has been legal since 1973, but before then, abortion was a very common yet dangerous procedure. During the 1920's, women often times turned to dangerous, illegal methods to terminate their pregnancy. Today abortion is common and safe procedure, and although it was common during the 1920's, it was not always safe.

Middle class women were not as fortunate. During the 1920's, women who did not have as much money usually made desperate decisions without thinking of fatal consequences. During the 1920's some 15,000 women a year died from abortions ("Abortion Facts"). Illegal abortion created an impact on the women society. Even though some abortion procedures were considered to be safer than others, its effects were still negative. Women used all sorts of alternatives rather than having the baby.

The popularity of abortion during the 1920's is indisputable. Women of all social classes participated in illegal abortions. Although many women chose alternatives to abortion during the 1920's, it still claimed thousands of lives. Anxious, distressed women would turn to anything available to terminate pregnancy without thinking of any consequences. Legalized abortion during the 1920's would have saved thousands of lives and would have given women more voice. Legalized abortion would have negatively impacted the society. It created a widespread controversy. Legalized abortion gives women the right to terminate a pregnancy with little to no regard towards life. Abortion is very common today. The Roe v. Wade trial has made it possible to receive a safe abortion from certified abortionists(Welton, 1991).

Yes and No for Abortion

Abortion controversy can be broken down into two groups; those who oppose abortion and call themselves pro-life, and those who support abortion rights and consider themselves pro-choice. In 1916, the first family planning and birth control center in the United States was opened by Margaret Sanger. Fifty-seven years later in 1973, the United States Supreme Court ruled abortion legal during the early stages of pregnancy to protect potential life in later stages, during the case of Roe vs. Wade. Regardless of the court's ruling, abortion protests have grown ...