The Fight For Reproductive Rights

Photo from Human Rights Watch

Abortion is a procedure wherein a pregnancy is terminated by removing the fetus. This has always been a controversial topic due to its moral status, with some people agreeing that abortion is morally right and some people agreeing that abortion is morally wrong. This divide has sparked up anti-abortion and pro-abortion movements in the United States (US), with anti-abortion movements aiming to limit abortion in every state while pro-abortion movements aim to expand abortion services. Though, how did this medical procedure become such a huge topic for debate?

In 1970, Norma McCorvey, an American activist under the fictional name “Jane Roe,” filed a lawsuit against Henry Wade, the district attorney of Dallas County, Texas. The lawsuit contested a law in Texas that made abortion illegal except by a doctor’s orders. Roe v. Wade was a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the U.S. passed in 1973. The Court states that the Constitution of the U.S. protects a right to have an abortion and calls the restrictive abortion laws in certain states “unconstitutional.” The justices note the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment, which forbids federal and state governments from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. This implies that abortion is recognized as a fundamental right.

However, in 2022, another landmark decision regarding abortion, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, was created. The Court states that the Constitution of the U.S. does not confer a right to abortion. This countered Roe v. Wade and overturned it, allowing states to enact laws that restrict or ban abortion. The justices stated that this was due to the fact that the right to abortion was not deeply rooted in the nation’s history and traditions. The Court further elaborated, stating that the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment protects only the rights guaranteed by the first eight amendments and rights that are deemed fundamental. The Court also stated that it would not recognize abortion as a fundamental right. Ever since the Court made this decision, at least 13 states have passed near-total abortion bans, while four states have banned abortion past six weeks of pregnancy.

In addition, some citizens of the US identify as pro-life, with beliefs that the fetus is a human being with the same rights as any other person and that all unborn babies should be given a chance to live. A poll conducted by Gallup showed that 41% of American adults identify as pro-life. Additionally, a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center showed that 13% of American adults believe that abortion is morally wrong in all cases and that 33% of American adults believe that abortion is morally wrong in most cases. Since abortion can terminate the fetus, many pro-life people disagree with the procedure.

Along with these beliefs, abortion can damage the physical and mental health of the mother. Physical complications of abortion include bleeding, pain, infection, uterine perforation, cervical laceration, and septic abortion. Moreover, an analysis by the Cambridge University Press concluded that women who underwent abortion experienced an 81% increased risk of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and self-harm, with nearly 10% of the incidence of mental health problems being shown to be attributable to abortion.

However, abortion should not be criminalized. We all have the right to self-govern our bodies. We all have the right to make our own decisions, as they are fundamental rights. We also have our reasons as to why we choose to perform actions. This is analogous to why women get abortions. 

A survey conducted by Verywell Health showed many reasons as to why women choose to terminate their pregnancies by abortion. Many influential factors determine the decision of the mother to terminate their pregnancy, with 40% of women claiming that they were not financially prepared, 36% of women claiming that it was not a good time to give birth, and 31% of women having issues with their partners. Additionally, unwanted pregnancy is one of the most influential factors in choosing abortion. A study by Guttmacher showed that 34% of American women who have had unintended pregnancies chose to abort their babies.

Furthermore, researchers from the University of California San Francisco revealed that 84% of women feel relieved after an abortion, overpowering the percentage of those with mental health concerns. This implies that there are psychological risks after abortion, but these risks are very limited and are not often major risks to mothers.

Abortion has always been a controversial topic for debate and I disagree with the way abortion is perceived on the anti-abortion side. It has always been a viable option for gravidas with unintended pregnancies. Yet, we have seen movements from both the anti-abortion and pro-abortion sides, aiming to limit or expand abortion services, respectively. However, we should note that the decision for abortion should be made by the gravida. They have a right to manage their bodies, and these mothers have their reasons. Instead of criticizing abortion protection laws and women who are planning to get or have gotten abortions, we should respect the decision if they plan to get an abortion.