Legalizing Abortion: A Critical Perspective - Term Paper Example

Legalizing Abortion: A Critical Perspective A College Paper John Mae (yourname here) Star University (your college here) Introduction There is no issue in recent years that has caused more political as well as psychological disturbance than the rigorous discussion about legalizing abortion in some states in America. This matter is so sensitive because of its political and religious relevance: it touches the heart of every one, be it health specialists, ordinary citizens, religious leaders, psychologists, politicians, and so on. When abortion issue surfaces in American politics, it always ends in feisty discussion because there are groups of people that publicly support it and those who strongly oppose (Meckler, 2010). There are questions that often come up when the issue of abortion is deliberated upon: some critics believe that abortion compromises known standards of morality and allow people, most especially women, to abuse their bodies without minding that their random sexual habit would backfire in unwanted pregnancies (Dellapenna, 1979). But this assertion may not be true on all occasions since abortion has been deemed necessary in some complicated circumstances: for examples, victims of rapes, sexual harassment and other crimes against women may carry pregnancies that they do not want from such encounters—in such situations, they need to terminate them to remain sane and happy (Dellapenna, 1979). The Main Context (body) Why has abortion created this much trouble for all parties involved in its heated debate? Abortion, typically, is a medical procedure that involves removing living fetus from the womb of a woman. This process has been in practice over several centuries, but it becomes more pronounced in the current period because of the decay of morality in homes and societies. This has led to wanton sexual behavior that, on most occasions, leads to unwanted pregnancies that would be aborted (Dworkin, 1993). There are two perspectives to the matter of abortion: one school of thought regards the act as a subtle way to kill a living human soul (as in fetus); the other group sees it as an opportunity or right to freedom individual should enjoy, explaining that everyone should have the power of choice—whether to do abortion or not (Dworkin, 1993). The opponents of abortion think that people in America could help themselves if they would pay attention to their lifestyles and/or do Family Planning or Contraceptive Procedures to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The groups that support it believe that everyone could do whatever he/she likes in as much as the laws are not broken—this may include having the freedom to enjoy sex randomly; a practice that could cause pregnancies that are not wanted. So, where does the politics come in all these discussions? American Government cannot be divested from the heated debates that often surround the issue of abortion in America. The simple reason for saying this is that the Government makes laws that would guard citizenry’s behavior. These set of statutes contain vital information about freedom of choice, observing the rights of the others, laws guiding medical practices, and so on. The American Government has often found itself strapped between the two schools of thought—that is, those who oppose and support abortion. There are questions as whether it is morally correct for US Government to provide funds for programs and policies that assist abortion proponents; there are also worries whether the American Government would not be breaking law of freedom and liberty by restricting the activities of the supporters of abortion (Reagan, 1997). US Government has been largely affected in the area of making laws that would guarantee standards in medical practices. In this area, abortion issue often shows up and requires deliberate discussion with all stakeholders before a well-received conclusion would be arrived at. On most occasions, politicians on the both sides of the argument had often used this chance to score political goals for themselves and their party ideologies (Tribe, 1992). But the question has often remained the same: to what extent is the US Government expected to be involved in abortion issue? Should the taxpayers’ money be used to fund most of the activities of abortion clinics? Should there be any new law that would demand a high degree of morality from American citizens? Won’t such drastic action be seen as an action to rob Americans of their rights of freedom and choice? Looking at this important issue from the victim’s perspective, it is possible to see that abortion also elicits emotional appeal among those that support it. There is a kind of psychological connection to the issue. When a lady is raped or sexually abused, even though she loves kids and will like to keep the pregnancy, but there are certain questions she may never find answers to in the future about her past experiences. Such a lady would be tormented forever by the bad experience of rape she had gone through. It doesn’t get better when the illegitimate child grows up and asks thousands of questions that will make the lady remember her harsh past that she has been trying to put behind her. An occasion like this prompts ladies to seek abortion solution (Lucker, 1984). Another instance that may make a woman to do abortion is when she is in a critical health condition and does not possess enough strength to bear and/or born the baby in her womb. To save her life, some doctors would suggest that abortion be carried out. The examples above add emotional or psychological flair to the abortion issue. Medical practitioners and the US Government sometimes clash when it comes to the application of laws in certain critical case when abortion may have been outlawed, but necessary for saving a life. The most important thing is having the parties on both sides of the aisle to have constructive communication on the issue. Primarily, the major problem associated with abortion is that of misinformation: the public is misled by strange theories about abortion: religious and political bodies are sending wrong message to the people; the Government is developing cold attitude towards enacting laws that would absolutely grant citizens rights to abort when it is direly needed. And those who found themselves in serious circumstances; like a woman that was raped and impregnated by armed robbers, or a disable woman that became a victim of sexual harassment may not know the appropriate step to take in getting out of their predicament. This problem could be solved if there is enough information that would encourage people to seek the right advice when choosing to abort or not. One cannot over-emphasize the impact of Government action n making citizens have their rights to everything that is good to help their health, including abortion. Conclusion From the foregoing, it is clear that the argument about abortion has come to stay: however, both the supporters and opponents of abortion can find a common ground on the issue, if appropriate information is passed across to all stakeholders. This involves the US Government making the appropriate legislation; the victims seeking the best help about the issue; the doctors following their ethics to save life; and the public receiving the right information about abortion. If all these issues are properly considered, abortion matter may raise less concern as it is now. And all the stakeholders would understand the necessity for holding continuous dialogue on the issue and encouraging every key player to recognize the right of individual to abortion and other related matters. The United States Government can take a cue from this incident and enlighten the public about abortion, while making laws and policies that would help medical personnel to observe individual rights. If proper information is passed across, it is possible for both the proponents and opponents of abortion to seek a common ground. Most importantly, this would help bridge the misunderstanding that has existed for ages between the two groups. Also, women need to be protected against sexual predators so that they do not always require abortion. Giving appropriate advice about the use of contraceptives can reduce the occurrence of abortion among the teenagers—the group that is likely susceptible to the danger of incessant abortion. Matured couples could adopt Family Planning or Planned Parenthood to prevent themselves from carrying unwanted pregnancies. If all these suggestions are undertaken with the great support of US Government, they will probably reduce the rate at which abortion is carried out in the United States. References Dellapenna, J.W. (1979). The history of abortion: technology, morality, and law. University of Pittsburgh Law Review, 40, 359-428. Dworkin, R. (1993). Life’s dominion: an argument about abortion, euthanasia, and individual freedom. New York: Knopf. Lucker, K. (1984). Abortion and the politics of motherhood. Berkeley: University of California Press. Meckler, L. (2010, March 22). Order on abortion solidifies support. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704454004575135791164496302.html Reagan, L.J. (1997). When abortion was a crime: women, medicine, and the Law in the United States. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. Tribe, L.H. (1992). Abortion: the clash of absolutes. 2nd edn. New York: Norton. Read More