Her Choice, Her Problem: How Abortion Empowers Men, by Richard Stith - Essay Example

In the article, ‘Her Choice, Her Problem: How Abortion Empowers Men’, Richard Stith asserts that legalization of abortion has been more beneficial for men than women. It has freed men from the burden of unwanted pregnancies, resulting in childbirth. Empowering women with the choice of abortion, the law has liberated men from having safe sex and indulge in passionate sexual aggression, which may or may not result in pregnancy. Men can refuse fatherhood because women are legally allowed to abort unwanted child.

Indeed, women’s right to privacy has become a bane because it also gives them sole right to decide whether they should continue with pregnancy or abort it. This is exploited by dominant males as women can always be persuaded to opt for abortion to keep their relationship intact. I agree with Srith’s argument because even in a liberal society where equality and non-discriminatory practices are intrinsic part of work environment, women are still struggling for equal wages and equal opportunities.

There are still more working men than women and men enjoy higher wages than women. Moreover, in a sexual relationship, women often get more emotionally involved than men and therefore become more vulnerable to emotional blackmail by them. Only very few women are able to exert true choice vis-à-vis abortion or childbirth because external issues like financial security and emotional dependency on one’s partners become hugely important elements that influence individual right to abortion. Racial discrimination is yet another contemporary issue that is institutionalized and practiced subtly across the world.

It curtails not only personal freedom of free and legitimate citizens but also violates human rights. (words: 268) Reference Stith, Richards. Her Choice, Her Problem: How Abortion Empowers Men. First Things, August/September 2009. http://www.firstthings.com/article/2009/07/her-choice-her-problem. 26 October 2012.