Abortion : A Feminist Polemic

An abortion is, the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely allowed by the death of the embryo or fetus or the expulsion of a fetus by a domestic animal often due to infection at any time before completion of pregnancy. Abortions have always been and

The definition of abortion is the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy. Inasmuch as it is true, in our society abortion is an extremely controversial subject, however, it is also safe to say that it is a very opinionated matter between those who do and do not believe in it. Abortion has been legal in the United States since the case of Roe v. Wade in the winter of 1973 labeling it as a “fundamental right”, it has since been a moral issue within our society. The decision to terminate ones own pregnancy is in their own hands and the effects of termination mentally and physically are their own to contract with.

“The expulsion of a fetus from the uterus by natural causes before it is able to survive independently” (Oxford University Press).

There have been an rising number of abortion cases throughout the world. This topic has been filled by among other factors social and economic factors. Abortion is the termination of pregnancy. It is the removal of the fetus before it is viable. It is usually done before the fetus gets to 25 weeks old. It is either spontaneous or induced abortion. Abortion refers to the induced type (Malcolm 1977 page 12).

The first issue often debated concerning abortion is the status of the fetus, and at what point in human development does a fetus become a person. This question can only be answered by understanding and defining what it is to be a person or personhood. Mary Anne Warren responses to this topic in “On The Moral and Legal State of Abortion and Postscript Infanticide” where Warren believes that a

abortion is “ the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a

Abortion is defined as “a fatally premature expulsion of a fetus from the womb.” The procedure is performed in many different ways. Abortion can even date back to B.C. times. Ancient abortions usually consisted of mildly poisoning a pregnant mother. The poison was hoped to be just strong enough to kill the fetus, yet mild enough

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo, resulting in or caused by its death. In the beginning

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy resulting in the death of the embryo or fetus.

Abortion is the most controversial issues both in the political and social arena today. The two main arguments for and against the issue of abortion is based upon whether the unborn foetus can be considered human or not. Then begs the question, is abortion moral or immoral, should abortion be treated as murder or should it be considered a legitimate choice that is available for every woman or lady? Most debates about abortion focus much on politics and law which hinders the fundamental ethical issues involved with abortion. The legality of the abortion depends much on the status of the foetus. Is the foetus considered a person as the pro-life activists argue or does the mother have the right to decide whether to abort or not? (as pro-choice activists claim). In a world where the foetus could speak its mind, this could be so easy to decide.

Many would argue that a fetus is a potential person because it is has the potential to become what it is not yet. However, does a potential person have potential rights? An example was used: does a potential doctor have the rights of a licensed doctor? When one is describing potentiality, All he is really describing is what that thing is not. By declaring that a fetus is a potential person, one is also stating that a fetus is not a person. As one can see, this issue of the essence of a person and whether a fetus is a person is a very complicated one. This becomes seven more complicated if one takes into account the issue of rights. Now, the concept of human rights, that is to say, what American society dictates as human rights, conflicts heavily with itself. On one hand, we form a deep and heavy opinion on one’s right to life. On the other, we hold an equally strong opinion on one’s freedom to live that life as they please. American society by and large has a firm belief in an individuals right to live. Therefore, if one comes to the conclusion that a fetus actually is a person, then that fetus should receive the protection to it’s right to live, as much as you or I. This society also holds the firm belief in one’s right to the sovereignty of his or her own body, equal to that of one’s right to live. In this case, it is imperative that we understand what liberties we can and cannot take upon ourselves

Abortion; noun- a medical procedure used to end a pregnancy and cause the death of the fetus (Webster Dictionary). Take your hand and lay it on your chest. Can you feel that? Ba bum. Ba bum. That’s your heart beating. You are living. The heart is a complex organ to explain, but your heart has to be beating to live. No child should die because their parents made a wrong decision. Parents everywhere are getting abortions. More and more children die everyday because of this. It is wrong. I can’t imagine people wanting to kill their own child, yet people do everyday.

Within the broader field of theological ethics there are many moral issues that we have interpreted and analyzed. Abortion being one of those topics has challenged me to create my own theological perspective. This is an issue that has become the most widely known and controversial topics in our society especially among Christians. The main question that is raised is whether or not abortion is ethical and if so, to what extent? Generally, the debate is between “pro-life” advocates and “pro-choice” advocates and is a complex issue for Christians. Through writings of theologians and theological sources, teachings, and claims I was able to understand how individuals and communities regard abortion. While reading Doing Right and Being Good by by David Oki Ahearn and Peter R. Gathje I came across authors Beverly Wildung Harrison and Sidney Callahan. The two feminists settle on different sides of this issue and argue their positions. I believe their theological claims hold great importance because feminists especially play a crucial role in the outcome.

Abortion is defined as the removal of a fetus or embryo sooner than it being able to survive outside of the uterus, ultimately, ending a pregnancy. An abortion can occur several different ways, such as,

Abortion is defined as the removal of a fetus from the uterus, resulting in the death of the fetus