Although the function of a hospital is to treat and care for patients of necessary needs, the hospital runs on the basis of businesses, inputting medical interventions to make more available room and profit. One commentator describes the the medical interventions as like a domino effect, as the cascade of series rumble down, when the intervention was not even necessary in the first place (The Business of Being Born 12:42). Physicians may use EPM readings to bolster their assertions that women refusing cesareans are endangering their fetuses and must therefore be ordered to undergo the procedure (Fried 259). To increase the cases of cesarean birth deliveries, hospitals will attempt to speed up the process of labors by using the doses of epidural …show more content…
Although abortions can be seen in a negative light, with the argument of killing a living organism, a woman should not be forced, pressured, or burdened to keep and raise a child who she does not want or cannot support. Studies have shown that “families and society will benefit from having children that are planned, welcomed, and properly spaced” (Sanger, Alexander 6). Disregarding this option to women imposes injustice to themselves, and also the newborn baby, as every child should be a wanted child. Prohibiting and restricting abortions does not stop women from having them, as it only “forces abortion underground and makes it the privilege of the wealthy, while further disenfranchising poor women, who generally bear the brunt of such policies” (Ginsburg 253). The difference of class statuses can alter how an abortion is processed, as “for poor women, illegal abortions are typically done by unqualified practitioners- the woman herself, backroom abortionists- and the result in increased maternal deaths as well as maternal and fetal physical deformities” (Ginsburg 253). Women of higher status and authority may not enter such drastic measures for abortions, because they may have the resources to implement the abortion in a safer situation. It has been stated that, “Most Americans favor government regulations that officially discourage abortion and that make abortion difficult to access …show more content…
In this important section of a woman’s body, unfortunately women do not have the extensive freedom to make whatever decisions appropriate for their own bodies. Although society claims and advocates that women have free will regarding their bodies and decisions, there is criticism and regulations that block women from making choices without disapproval and judgment. The access and usage of birth control, cesarean section births, and abortion do not deliver reproductive justice to women, as they do not have full control of their own bodies. Due to the limiting access of birth control, women of various cultural and class backgrounds had to substitute this by using other, less effective methods. In hospital settings, doctors may not always listen and comply to the wishes of the mothers rejecting cesarean sections, as in the 1984 case, “staff at a Chicago hospital forcibly tied a pregnant Nigerian woman who had declined a c-section to her hospital bed with leather wrists and ankle restraints” (Cool). Although situations today are not this extreme and cruel, women are still continued to be coerced into having unnecessary c-sections due to medical intervention. With the unnecessary doses of epidural and pitocin, women should have the right to refuse to subordinate to one’s preferences and needs. Terminating a baby is considered as an illegal and punishable act in
Public health researchers with the UC San Francisco group, Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, conducted a longitudinal study of 956 women who sought an abortion and were turned away. Diana Foster’s study reveals what happened to the women’s economic standing, health and relationship status after being denied their right. She claims that, “When a woman is denied the abortion she wants, she is statistically more likely to wind up unemployed, on public assistance, and below the poverty line” (Newitz). This is clear because one of the major factors in a woman’s decision to abort, is because of her awareness that she will not be able to financially support her child. One of a woman’s most formidable fears is to fail to adequately raise her child and provide him with his greatest odds to succeed. Naturally, a mother’s ultimate goal is for her children to have a better life than she did. This fuels the majority of people’s ambition and determination to obtain a comfortable and promising life style, to then pass on to their offspring. Women living in poverty seek abortions because they do not want to bring a child in a life of misery and suffering. The decision to terminate a pregnancy is not just blindly decided, all aspects of the mother’s and child’s life are considered. In fact, after initially being denied the right to abort, the survey demonstrates that 45% of the women were on public assistance (Newitz). However, Foster concludes, “a year later, they were far more likely to be on public assistance — 76% of the turnaways were on the dole…67% percent of the turnaways were below the poverty line” (Newitz). Therefore, it is evident that not allowing women to legally have abortions creates more strain on the state because of these mothers' increased dependence on social assistance programs.
Social issues that are discussed in the issue of abortion are the effects of abortion on society and the ideas of social justice and equality. Supporters of abortion claim that a ban on abortion has serious negative effects on the poor. More than two hundred thousand women die annually in developing nations as a result of illegal abortions because they could not afford or access abortion services. Furthermore, if woman delivers the child because she did not have access to services that terminated her unwanted pregnancy, that child may be abandoned, which poses more problems for children and society. To counter this, abortion advocates proposed that every woman, regardless of status, should have equal access to basic services. Restrictions of abortion deny poor, less-educated women equal access to these facilities, which increases their risk of performing illegal abortions or having unwanted children that they cannot provide for
Abortion has always been an exceptionally debatable topic, since so many people each have their own ideas and beliefs. Even today in America, normal people as well as politicians are still discussing and arguing over this very controversial topic. One Supreme Court case, known as Roe v. Wade, dealt with a Texas law outlawing abortions except in certain cases. A woman named Jane Roe wanted an abortion and eventually made her way up to the Supreme Court, where the judges essentially set down the rules for abortions. Roe argued that the Texas law violated the First, Fourth, Fifth, Ninth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution. The Supreme Court agreed and ruled in favor of Roe, making the Texas law unconstitutional. Roe v. Wade is an exceedingly controversial case about abortion, but the judges undoubtedly made the proper decision in allowing abortion to be up to the woman and her doctor in the first trimester of pregnancy.
As the Courts continue to argue in terms of morality, their attitudes when it comes to dealing with cases concerning abortion are vague, even as they succeed in placing financial burdens on the process (Engstrom 25). Unfortunately, the ambiguity present allows for those who can’t afford their constitutional right to go through potentially harmful ‘back-alley’ abortions and risk their lives during the process (Engstrom 7). The Hyde Amendment and Supreme Court cases, such as Planned Parenthood v. Casey, are examples of the way Courts and Congress have placed restrictions on low-income women when it comes to obtaining an abortion (Engstrom 14). They do this through ‘back-door’ attempts that succeed in eroding at crucial legislation as they are refrained by current legislation from taking on the law directly (Engstrom 2). These restrictions can lead to horrible outcomes for women who are desperate enough to explore riskier options (McGee 102-103). Low-income women are facing limitations established by funding restrictions within the Hyde Amendment and the ambiguity of the Court in contradicting cases (Engstrom
Women’s reproductive rights have been endangered from early history. A woman’s job included housework and child birth. Around 1920, women started receiving their choices and rights. In the 21st century, women are looked at with fairness and receive equal opportunities, but there is one right being stripped from women: the choice of using birth control and aborting pregnancy. Society frowns upon aborting a fetus in the womb, but it fails to realize the circumstantial standing each woman is placed in and should accept the decision a woman decides for her future whether it is to use birth control or abort her pregnancy.
Abortion is a topic that never ends, until this day candidates are just trying to figure out whether they think it should be illegal. In the Roe vs. Wade court ruling the Supreme Court recognized abortion as a constitutional right. The question asks whether abortion should “be legal under any circumstances” “legal only under certain circumstances” or “illegal in all circumstances.” That is what people think about when abortion is discussed. Should be abortion be allowed under any circumstances or should we make new laws. Gallup asked people to classify whether they are “pro-life” or “pro-choice” and the results were evenly divided between the two. The change in the public attitude towards abortion for pro-choice occurred during the mid-1980’s
Abortions have been around for hundreds of years. In fact, the first abortion law was established in Connecticut in 1821. This law prohibited women to abort through poisoning. The most important abortion court case took place in 1973. The Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case ruled that women have the right to have an abortion since it is protected by the 14th amendment, which states that “no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law”. Many years after the decision was made, a lot of people have been rebelling against the idea of abortion. Many believe, mostly religious and conservative individuals, believe that abortion begins at conception and therefore should be aborted. On the other hand, non-religious
The right of a women to control her reproductive decision is highly debated in the US because of the idea that abortions, to some people, are considered murder. A woman’s ability to make reproductive choices is a fundamental right protected by the
In 1973, the Supreme Court legalized abortions in the case Roe v. Wade. Throughout the years, the topic of abortion has continued to divide the United States. In the 2016, presidential campaigns voters shared their concerns about the topic with both parties. When President Trump came into office he began to sign legislation banning abortions for some organization. The actions President trump has and continue to take toward ending abortion have created fear for those who support abortion. This paper explores how abortion became legal and the actions of those who oppose abortion.
One idea supported by the people or political party I generally oppose is that the women of the United States should not have the license to legal abortion, even in cases of rape or incest. Accordingly, this anti-abortion stance is customarily coupled with religious convictions. However, ordinary citizens and legislators should not be able to legally impose their religious views onto American women. I acknowledge the moral defense for the “pro-life” movement and the rights of the unborn child. However, women of the United States America have the right to be independent of religious and pious condemnation and to be unrestrained when choosing the services concerning their reproductive welfare. U.S. abortion laws ought not jeopardize the health
Many outsiders see the United States as a place of peace and harmony. But for those who live within it, know that it is the complete opposite. The United States has numerous amounts of worldwide problems from the economy to obesity to even pollution. Although some are more important than others doesn’t mean the small issues should go unnoticed. Abortion, the termination of pregnancy is considered a problem by many but also reflected as nonfactor to others opinion. In my opinion, I believe abortion is a growing problem and the people of the United States fail to apprehend it. The actual termination of the pregnancy could leave the mother suffering from a serious illness or even be fatal.
“Excessive restrictions stigmatize women seeking abortions and discriminate against those who lack the knowledge and understanding of legal grounds for abortion and vulnerable groups, such as poor and rural women and girls” (Finer). Abortion is commonly known as a murderous crime in which a mother chooses to terminate her child, but I do not view abortion that way. Abortion is when a mother determines that she is not capable to raise a child at the moment. I believe that tougher abortion laws should not be passed because it should be a women’s basic right to her own body, also, many women do not have the financial resources it takes to raise a child, and either way women will still seek illegal ways to get an abortion with risky outcomes
We all live our lives as we please all in accordance to the law, but when it comes to abortion people start to judge and try to regulate how others live and interfere in their personal choices. We live in a country based on freedoms, and women have and should continue to have the freedom to the choice of an abortion. A woman’s right to choose abortion is a fundamental right recognized by the US Supreme Court. The courts also have a category of classes called the ‘near-suspect’ classes, which include gender. Gender deserves protection from possible discrimination at the hands of the majority. Women constitute a majority of American’s and have been discriminated in the past. The Landmark case Roe v. Wade was decided and remains the law of the land. Making laws against abortions don’t stop abortions from happening; they just make it less safe, which in many cases leads to death. Therefore idea of supporting pro-life is contradictory, this is why the nation should be pro-choice. No child should be brought into this world where they are not wanted or are not able to live a normal life. Most people who are against abortion will never even become pregnant, so they should not be making laws against it. Pregnancy is a private and personal matter. Outlawing abortion is discriminatory and unfortunately abortions are being transformed from a right to a privilege for most women.
A woman, pregnant for the first time, tells her doctor that she would like to have a scheduled cesarean, to avoid experiencing the pain of labor. This is a common discussion that takes place and more often the physician is giving his consent. What happened to cesarean births being a choice when all efforts have failed? More than 4 million women give birth in the United States each year and slightly more than one-third of these women give birth by cesarean section (King, 2012). It is the most frequent surgery performed in the United States for
Just because a woman acted foolishly and carelessly does not mean that an innocent third party, the child, should have to accept the punishment for their mother’s actions. Another alarming statistic is that twenty-two percent of all pregnancies in the United States end in abortion (U.S. Abortion Statistics). Many of these abortions occur from people who live below the poverty level and cannot afford proper birth control. While abortion has been decreasing among most groups of categories that are determined by characteristics such as age, race, and financial income; abortions among poor people have been on the rise. In 2008, poor women were responsible for forty-two percent of all abortions that took place in the United States. Likewise, the abortion rate of poor women escalated by eight-teen percent from 2000-2008 (Wind). This problem can be solved by providing more heath care clinics through the country for those individuals who cannot afford birth control. With more available heath care clinics, the amount of abortions that occur will be diminished significantly and wrongful killing of unborn children will come to an end.