Abortion - Essay

Abortion is a highly debated and controversial topic in society. While some argue that it should be illegal, there are many compelling reasons why it should be legal. In this essay, I will explore the reasons why abortion should be legal and accessible to women. The right to access safe and legal abortion is a fundamental human right that should be protected by law in all states, as it ensures reproductive autonomy, bodily autonomy, and gender equality. To start off with, a woman has the right to make decisions about her own body, including the right to choose whether or not to carry it to full term is unfair. Without access to safe and legal abortion, women may be forced to seek out unsafe and illegal procedures, which can lead to serious health complications and even death. By legalizing abortion, women can make informed decisions about their own bodies and their own futures. According to Reproductive Rights, they state, “International legal support for a woman’s right to safe and legal abortion can be found in numerous international treaties and other instruments.” This quote greatly explains how abortion is found in different treaties! Another quote from ACOG states, “Induced abortion is an essential component of women’s health care. Like all medical matters, decisions regarding abortion should be made by patients in consultation with their health care providers and without undue interference by outside parties.” This quote also greatly explains how these decisions should be made by the patient, nobody else! Secondly, criminalizing abortion does not reduce the number of abortions that occur. Instead, it forces women to seek out dangerous and unregulated procedures, which can lead to serious health complications. By legalizing abortion, women can access safe and regulated healthcare services that can help to reduce the risks associated with the procedure. According to American Progress, “Longitudinal research shows that women who are denied abortion care are more likely to experience poorer health outcomes, including gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension—itself a contributor to eclampsia, for which abortion is one option for treatment.” This quote explains how illegalizing abortions would effect a women’s health. Another quote from PUBMED it states, “The legal situation of abortion in a country does not influence the abortion rate, but illegality is associated with a much greater risk of complications and death.” This quote explains how illegal abortions would come at a greater cost to women. For a third statement, the decision to have an abortion is a deeply personal one that should be made by the woman in consultation with her healthcare provider. Women are capable of making informed decisions about their own bodies and their own lives, and should not be forced to carry a pregnancy to term against their will. The saddest part of the whole situation is that someone who got raped cannot have a legal abortion. In an article, a little girl who had gotten raped had to leave her state due to the fact that she would be put on trial if she were to have an abortion which is devastating. Lastly, access to safe and legal abortion is essential for gender equality. Without access to abortion, women are forced to carry unwanted pregnancies to term, which can have a significant impact on their educational, economic, and social opportunities. By legalizing abortion, women can make choices about their own lives without fear of discrimination or stigma. A quote from NWCL it states, “As states look to further limit access to abortion, the impact of their decisions on women will likely be felt beyond the procedure, according to Shirley Graham, director of the Gender Equality Initiative in International Affairs at George Washington University. She says that taking away the ability for women to have control over their reproductive health “affects everything else.” Having an abortion is again a right! Another quote from an article it states, “ After abortion was legalized, women—particularly Black women—experienced significant increases in school graduation and employment rates.2 Pregnant individuals who obtain an abortion are less likely to experience economic hardship and insecurity.” This quote explains how having the procedure lessens discrimination that women face. In conclusion, abortion should be legal and accessible to women because it is a fundamental right to make decisions about one's own body, criminalizing abortion does not reduce the number of procedures that occur, the decision to have an abortion is a deeply personal one, and access to safe and legal abortion is essential for gender equality. By legalizing abortion, we can ensure that women have access to safe and regulated healthcare services that can help to reduce the risks associated with the procedure, and that they can make choices about their own lives without fear of discrimination or stigma. SOURCES: https://www.reproductiverights.org/sites/default/files/documents/pub_bp_safeandlegal.pdf https://www.acog.org/advocacy/facts-are-important/abortion-is-healthcare https://www.americanprogress.org/article/abortion-bans-will-result-in-more-womendying/#:~:text=Longitudinal%20research%20shows%20that%20women,also%20overwhelmingly%20likely%20to%20worsen https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9253669/ https://nwlc.org/resource/abortion-rights-and-access-are-inextricably-tied-to-equality-and-gender-justice/ https://geia.elliott.gwu.edu/2022/09/23/the-link-between-abortion-rights-and-gender-equality/