Abortion is an emotional subject for women and should remain legal; making it illegal can force women to use illegal means to terminate pregnancies, leading them down a dangerous path that may have serious health complications as a result.
Governments should legalize abortion due to the many complications that accompany pregnancies. Many women become pregnant without proper knowing and without support from a partner. Once pregnant they find themselves overwhelmed with raising a child.
Some women with children born from abusive relationships or living in poverty cannot afford to raise them; thus, they choose abortion as the solution. Individual rights play an integral part in this issue.
Furthermore, abortion is an emotionally charged topic, so writing an essay on its implications requires extensive research. Before beginning to write your essay on abortion, be sure to understand both sides of the argument from all perspectives - academic journals, news articles and personal experience are all excellent sources. Once you know exactly what message you want to send with your essay you can start crafting your writing!
Abortion can be an emotionally charged topic and opinions vary on its legality; however, there are several compelling arguments for legalizing abortion. There are various reasons for legalized abortion. These include assuring women's safety in unplanned pregnancies, providing hope to victims of rape and decreasing unwanted pregnancies.
Why Abortion Should Be Legal?
As is often the case for medical procedures, abortion may be medically necessary in certain circumstances. Any restrictions placed upon abortion - including bans and limitations as to when and how it can take place - violate human rights and are detrimental to women, girls and other potential pregnancies who need access to safe, cost-effective care.
Individual autonomy and family well-being depend upon being given the ability to choose when and if to become parents. Threats to one's health, well-being or family may trigger her decision to terminate a pregnancy, such as contraceptive failure, barriers to contraceptive use/access, rape/incest and domestic violence.
Forcing someone into carrying an unwanted pregnancy or seeking an unsafe abortion could cause them serious physical and emotional harm; criminal prosecution, harsher penalties, or may prevent access to vital post-abortion healthcare.
Although abortion is medical in nature, its mischaracterization as "abortion on demand" has had grave repercussions for patients, providers and policymakers. It has affected how doctors think about abortion as well as impacting how society approaches this topic politically.
"Abortion on demand" misleads people about abortion's true nature as an increasingly prevalent, yet rarely required medical procedure. Additionally, women can face various complications from unintended pregnancies including haemorrhage, incomplete abortions and sepsis infection or sepsis infection; moreover, it denies them access to critical information regarding this form of termination and makes it more difficult for them to support non-invasive methods of terminating unwanted pregnancies in accordance with medical ethics and policy.
No matter the views, abortion is a human right that should be respected and upheld. Every individual must be free to control their body and make decisions when and if to have children. Therefore, the right to abortion must be upheld; Ipas works closely with various partners towards an environment in which all human rights including reproductive freedom are respected, protected and fulfilled.
Women seeking abortion face stigmatization from both healthcare workers and family members when seeking termination. Furthermore, they risk medical procedures being done by unlicensed providers who could pose risks that lead to abortions being performed illegally or even death during this process. As such, decriminalizing abortion ensures people have access to safe healthcare services legally.
Many religiously affiliated adults hold differing perspectives on whether abortion should be legalized. Their opinions depend on the circumstances and stage of gestation. For instance, most White evangelical Protestants and Catholics say abortion shouldn't be legal if the pregnancy results from rape; while clear majorities of other Protestant groups and "nones" generally advocate its legality. It also depends on when in gestation abortion may become morally acceptable.
Only about one-quarter of Americans think abortion should be permitted at any point during a pregnancy and approximately one-third agree it should always be illegal under all circumstances. Of those favoring restrictions on abortion, two-thirds feel women having illegal abortions should face some type of penalty while about a fifth think only doctors performing them should face penalties.
As opposed to Christians or religious "nones", atheists and those identifying themselves as agnostics tend to support abortion as legal in all circumstances, with no penalties whatsoever for performing one illegally. Atheists also tend to think there should be no penalties imposed against physicians performing illegal abortions while some agnostics believe physicians could face penalties under some circumstances.
Women living in countries where abortion is legal tend to be better informed of their options and more likely to undergo safe termination procedures compared with miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies. Also, abortion procedures tend to be less expensive and safer than alternative methods like miscarriage or ectopic gestation.
When women decide to end their pregnancies, their reasons vary and vary from one individual to the next. Sometimes it comes down to medical concerns - like whether pregnancy will harm either her health or that of her baby; other times it could be financial; sometimes caring for a newborn becomes impossible, particularly among teens living in poverty, minorities or migrants as these groups typically cannot afford care even when available if taking time off work is a barrier to care provision.
Restricting abortion access is a violation of human rights that can have far-reaching repercussions for women's health. When governments impose unnecessary medical restrictions on abortion services - for instance, laws requiring doctors to notify parents when minors seek an abortion, or mandating corridor width requirements at facilities where procedures take place - essential clinics may go out of business, excluding marginalized populations such as low-income women, adolescents, people with disabilities survivors of sexual and gender-based violence survivors’ migrants and refugees among others.
When a woman's right to choose is curtailed, she often feels she has no option other than opting for unsafe abortion and risking her health. Furthermore, stigmatization associated with abortion often results in violence against women and girls as well as abuse against healthcare workers helping terminate pregnancies; such practices violate international human rights law by acting against bodily autonomy and privacy rights that should be guaranteed for every human.
1. Women’s Right to Choose
Women and girls have the right to decide what happens with their bodies, including accessing safe abortion services. Any attempt at restricting such access would constitute a violation of international human rights law.
Choosing to end a pregnancy is one of the most personal decisions anyone must face and should be left entirely up to them, with input from medical providers (if desired). When denied this right, people may resort to unsafe methods or face stigmatization that can result in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other health complications.
Moreover, failing to fund abortions denies women who cannot afford the procedure their constitutional right of choice and prevents rural areas from accessing basic healthcare. Abortion isn't just an issue for women. It impacts men of all backgrounds, races and ethnicities - restricting access to abortion violates everyone's rights and amounts to an act of discrimination.
Pro-choice advocates typically cite bodily autonomy when discussing why abortion should be legal, which is defined by international human rights law as "the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, along with his/her freedom to exercise their humanity freely and fully." Bodily autonomy refers to people's right to privacy and self-determination regarding matters concerning their bodies.
Many people hold differing perspectives on abortion, often based on personal experience and ethics. Unfortunately, many beliefs can be challenged with facts and scientific evidence; therefore, as much information about abortion as possible must be gained via blogs, essays and research papers.
Many argue that abortion should be legalized because it is a woman's right to decide what happens with her body. While this argument makes sense in terms of protecting autonomy and individual choice, this lacks consideration of its effect on preborn children who cannot make decisions regarding abortion in their own best interest. Limiting abortion as a "women's issue" misrepresents and silences preborn voices who suffer because of it.
Forced pregnancies lead to maternal injury and death as a result of unsafe, illegal abortions performed without medical supervision, leading to poverty and lasting health complications like infertility, depression and anxiety for mothers who carry unwanted pregnancies.
Forced clandestine abortions expose individuals to criminalization, stigma and discrimination from family members, peers, healthcare providers and the justice system. Many who undergo clandestine abortions in countries with restrictive abortion laws report being harassed or threatened; some even report experiencing physical violence; this violates human rights while especially hurtful to young women trying to access healthcare services.
Countries with stringent anti-abortion laws prohibit doctors from performing abortions, forcing women to travel long distances for safe clinics despite financial strain and limited public transport options - this infringes directly upon their rights to life, non-discrimination and privacy.
Additionally, some laws contain narrow exceptions which permit police and medical professionals to investigate and prosecute individuals who have had abortions. These exceptions typically apply when pregnancy results from acts such as rape or incest, severe and fatal fetal impairment or when the life of a pregnant person is at stake - all of which violate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and cannot be justified using stare decisis law as justification to uphold such unjust laws.
2. Abortion Is a Medical Procedure
Abortion is a medical procedure used to end an unwanted pregnancy. Abortion saves lives and improves health outcomes for women and their families; it should be available regardless of status, religion, or economic circumstances; restrictive abortion laws or stigmatization restrict this right for many women causing widespread effects that affect multiple aspects of their lives.
Restricting abortion access could force women into resorting to unsafe abortion methods that put their health and lives at risk, including infections and even death. Furthermore, this could set in motion an "evil spiral" wherein human fetuses become treated as less than human, opening up trait-selection abortions such as designer babies or gender selection, or terminations that could endanger both mother and other life.
Many opponents of abortion recognize there may be circumstances when abortion may be morally justified, such as when the fetus may be born with severe disabilities or health issues, with majority support coming from religiously unaffiliated adults and Democrats for this action. Furthermore, majority support among White non-evangelical Protestants, Black Protestants, and Catholics for legalization following pregnancy due to rape also supports legalizing abortion as an option in such instances.
Limiting abortions to health risks or life threats ignores the fact that women need abortions for various other reasons as well. If they lack resources or social conditions that make caregiving impossible, or have been sexually assaulted and have no alternative but to terminate a pregnancy to safeguard themselves from harm, women need access to abortion as an option to protect their lives and make their own decision regarding termination of pregnancies in these instances.
Roe v. Wade marked a historic achievement for reproductive rights in America, yet even before it was impossible to ensure everyone would have access to abortion based on location, state and restrictive legislation in their area. These limitations are caused by centuries of systemic racism, ongoing white supremacy and policies which violate women's autonomy and rights and remain an obstacle today.
3. Abortion Is a Human Right
Abortion rights are fundamental human rights, and any restriction to an individual's ability to make decisions about their body constitutes an infringement on these rights. Women seeking abortions frequently face legal, financial, and health-system obstacles to receiving them - leading in some instances to unsafe abortions which have been linked with increased rates of maternal death, infection and other complications - particularly among migrant, refugee and asylum-seeker women who face greater risks from sexual violence as well as discrimination when accessing healthcare including abortion services.
Even when abortion laws don't directly prohibit it, restrictions such as waiting periods and mandatory ultrasounds may restrict women from accessing abortion procedures. Such policies violate a woman's fundamental human right to privacy while having a greater impact on poor and working-class women due to unplanned pregnancies or other life circumstances that necessitate abortion services.
Roe v. Wade provides an important foundation for women's rights to health and autonomy, but should the Supreme Court move away from that ruling and implement new restrictions, this will signal states' ability to deny women abortions and other health-related freedoms.
Many proponents of abortion law prohibitionists use the principle of "stare decisis" to support their case for banning it; this should not be seen as justification to continue upholding unjust laws; according to the Constitution, citizens have the right to advocate for change when injustices occur.
Politicians looking to protect the rights of their constituents should support all health and reproductive choices that their constituents require - not only abortion but also affordable healthcare and workplace protections.
Moreover, instead of trying to ban abortion outright, politicians should instead promote real solutions to address issues which prompt women to seek abortion in the first place - this is what true advocacy for women's rights looks like.
4. Safety and Regulation
Many women facing unintended pregnancies opt to have abortions due to various reasons, ranging from severe birth defects that may lead to preterm labour before birth and nonconsensual sex/rape conceptions to personal choices regarding how their bodies should be used and cared for. Women have every right to decide for themselves what happens with their bodies.
There is wide variation among Republican members on whether the gestational stage should play any part in determining the legality of abortions. Moderate and liberal Republicans are more likely than conservative Republicans to argue for abortion to be legal at any stage during gestation, while half or so think this depends on circumstances.
Although many believe abortion to be a constitutional right, it's essential to remember that such is only the case if its legal framework protects individuals' constitutional rights and bodily autonomy.
Furthermore, it should be remembered that the Supreme Court has overturned laws before without breaching any provision of the Constitution; overturning bad decisions does not violate its rulings or principles.
Regulating the abortion industry similarly to other forms of healthcare practices is vital to ensuring patients remain safe. A woman's decision regarding an abortion should depend on her medical, social and emotional circumstances as well as being performed in an environment which prioritizes patient welfare.
Many individuals suffer complications related to unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion each year. Most of these deaths can be prevented. They occur largely as a result of women not using contraception and abortion procedures performed by providers with poor training at facilities that do not comply with international health standards; the stigma attached to abortion results in discrimination against and abuse against women seeking it.
5. Reduction of Unwanted Pregnancies
Women often become pregnant through unprotected sexual behaviour or inadequate contraception. Unwanted pregnancies can have serious health repercussions for mothers and daughters alike; legalizing abortion would make it easier for females seeking care to terminate an unwanted pregnancy as it provides them with faster access to care providers if they choose this route; additionally, abortion tends to be both less expensive and safer than carrying it through to term - ultimately leading to reduced maternal mortality and morbidity rates.
When women cannot access safe abortion services, they may be forced to attempt an unsafe abortion themselves, risking complications that lead to severe injury or death - haemorrhage, infection and sepsis could occur as a result - violating human rights and her bodily autonomy.
Furthermore, carrying her pregnancy until term may result in social stigmatization, psychological trauma and financial hardship; further complicating matters if they decide to give birth early.
Countries where abortion is illegal often resort to unlicensed practitioners and practices which could prove lethal, leading to increased risks during gestation, higher maternal mortality rates, morbidity rates, as well as permanent health effects like infertility for their women.
International human rights law makes clear that decisions regarding a woman's body belong solely to her, and she should have access to safe abortion services. Abortion shouldn't be considered contraception - suggesting otherwise would be similar to suggesting slavery or eugenics are forms of healthcare; respect must be shown for her right to self-determination and bodily autonomy.
Women may decide to end a pregnancy for various reasons, ranging from not wanting kids or lack of finances, medical conditions that make continued gestation unsafe, and medical issues that would render continuing with it unsafe for the mother and fetus. Whatever their reason may be, abortion should remain accessible without harassment or legal ramifications being applied against her.
Making abortion legal allows healthcare professionals to provide it in a safe and regulated environment. Additionally, legalization prevents pregnant people from being forced into illegal and potentially life-threatening pregnancies, potentially leading to severe pain, bleeding and infection or even death for themselves and their babies.
Forced pregnancies or abortions that compromise women's rights violate their basic human rights and can create lasting mental health issues for the woman involved. Such issues become amplified when states and countries pass laws criminalizing abortion or only permitting it under limited conditions - thus making the procedure inaccessible.
Restrictive abortion laws have an incalculable detrimental impact on society. Not only are women's lives put at risk by these laws, but the stigma attached to abortion increases significantly and so too does its treatment from medical and social services industries.
Anti-choice activists emboldened by extreme rhetoric from politicians and media have opened thousands of fake clinics to mislead women searching for healthcare providers to perform abortions. They have harassed doctors who provide these services; harassed physicians who perform them; harassed and intimidated doctors performing them; some even bombed or murdered abortion clinics - the only effective way of decreasing unwanted pregnancies being to ensure women have access to abortion services.
6. Preventing Children from Being Born into Unsafe Environments
Countries that ban abortion force women to seek dangerous methods for termination that may lead to health complications and even death - violating individuals' right to self-determination and accessing necessary services; denial of abortion access being discriminatory must stop immediately.
Unwanted pregnancies present women with many social and economic challenges that make raising a child difficult. Many may already have other commitments like other children or careers; the cost of care may become prohibitive for many of them. Legalizing abortion would reduce unwanted pregnancies while giving women the freedom to live their lives on their terms.
People also argue that abortion should be legalized because it is the woman's choice; however, this fails to consider its impact on any future children born of an unplanned pregnancy and cannot possibly predict what impact that child will have in their lives; no woman should be forced into carrying pregnancies they do not want.
A majority of adults agree that abortion should be legal in cases in which a fetus could be born with serious disabilities or health conditions, including majorities of White evangelical Protestants, other religious groups and Catholics. Conversely, however, fewer adults agree that abortion should be permitted when an unviable fetus could still be born alive.
Abortion is an emotionally charged topic with many competing viewpoints and opinions on both sides. There are several compelling arguments in favour of legalizing abortion, including women's right to choose and safety and regulation issues about unwanted pregnancies; as well as protecting children from potentially unsafe environments before birth. By giving women this choice, we can foster more inclusive and equitable societies for all.
Many states have passed laws restricting abortion access, making it harder for women to receive the healthcare they require. Some women are forced to seek unsafe abortions which pose serious health risks such as haemorrhage and infection that put their lives and reproductive organs at risk. Also, being denied an abortion could leave her feeling shamed and depressed and have lasting repercussions for both mental and physical well-being.
Though most Americans support legalizing abortion, opinions can differ depending on religious affiliation and ideological preferences. Most Republicans and liberal-leaning Democrats believe abortion should be fully or mostly legal throughout all stages of pregnancy; in contrast, evangelical Protestants as well as people identifying as atheists or without religion tend to support full prohibition of all cases of abortion.
People who advocate for banning abortion have not done their research and may be misguided in their beliefs. Under international human rights law, everyone has the right to privacy - therefore restricting a woman's decision on her body should never be tolerated.
People who oppose abortion often fail to consider how restricting it could force people to turn to clandestine and unsafe abortions, most commonly occurring in developing countries and endangering women's and girls' lives and health. One solution would be better education on sexual and reproductive health matters, accessible abortion clinics, as well as funding preventative healthcare services like STI prevention counselling for those who have had sexual activity and/or are at high risk.
Whilst many individuals still hold that abortion should be illegal under all circumstances, some are beginning to recognize that this isn't necessarily the case. While the Supreme Court's precedent of stare decisis is well established, that doesn't mean unjust laws should remain on the books forever - for instance, racial segregation was legal until 1954 before its overturn was brought about by new legislation.
7. Reducing Stigma and Shame
An abortion can be an emotionally and privately stressful experience for women, even in countries where abortion is legal. Stigma can still prevent women from getting the care they require despite legality; stigma is defined as negative ideas or perceptions about certain groups that lead to prejudice, discrimination or oppression and feelings of shame or guilt; its main sources are social rejection (e.g. from family or friends) cultural views (e.g. viewing abortion as "dirty") and internalized stigmatism (i.e. thoughts about one's own abortion experiences).
Studies demonstrate that when people gain more information about abortion, they are less likely to feel stigma. Therefore, misinformation regarding abortion must be dispelled; though a daunting task, this can be accomplished by encouraging individuals to ask questions and learn more from reliable sources such as doctors/nurses/organizations offering abortion care, books/blogs etc.
Stigma also affects healthcare providers who perform abortions. They can often be labelled "dirty workers," leading to lasting damage in terms of professional credibility and well-being. Furthermore, this stigmatization makes it harder for women to find providers willing to perform abortions in states where abortion is illegal.
Reducing the stigma surrounding abortion is crucial to help prevent unwanted pregnancies, which is why supporting abortion rights and ensuring women have access to safe care when they need it is critical.
Furthermore, OB-GYNs should encourage patients to discuss their own experiences openly and with empathy when sharing about abortion services or procedures they have had done in an open forum setting.
