Topic > Abortion: Analysis of the Political and Public Health Controversy

IndexArgumentative Essay: Political Controversy over the Legalization of AbortionPublic Health ConcernsConclusionBibliographyAbortion is one of the most controversial social and political issues in the United States today. As a result, abortion is used as a political tool by Republicans to gain support among conservatives, while Democrats use their pro-choice position to mobilize voters who view abortion as a viable option for pregnant women. Evidently, positions on abortion have the power to influence political powers and voting behavior at all levels of government. In this argumentative essay on abortion we argue that despite recent restrictions on abortion adopted by federal and state governments, abortion should remain a legal option because it is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution, many unwanted pregnancies result from economic deprivation or by unfortunate circumstances and current abortion restrictions put women's safety at risk. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayArgumentative Essay: Political Controversy Over the Legalization of AbortionIn 1973, Norma McCorvey, a Texas woman who used the pseudonym Jane Roe, grew up in poverty, wanted to terminate her unwanted pregnancy. At the time, wealthy American women could obtain safe, legalized abortions by traveling to other countries or by bribing a doctor to secretly perform their abortions. However, McCorvey and many other women could not afford these options, forcing them to resort to illegal or self-induced abortions. The case of Roe v. Wade allowed the court to rule that the Constitution protects a pregnant woman's freedom to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restrictions. Other cases, such as Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, have further supported the constitutionality of abortions. Over time, the right to abortion has been linked to more abstract and generally applicable concepts of freedom. The Court also linked women's rights to abortion under the Fourteenth Amendment, American citizens' right to privacy, and reproductive rights as enumerated powers. However, states are allowed to impose any number of restrictions on abortion, up to the point where the state bans all but a few abortions. The Roe v. Wade is challenged by extremely conservative supporters who want to ban or limit abortions. According to EC Duckworth, the Court left “the State free to impose increasing restrictions on abortion as the period of pregnancy lengthens, provided that such restrictions are adapted to the recognized interests of the State”. As a result, several conservative states attempt to ban nearly all abortions except in cases of rape, incest, and/or life-threatening abortion. For example, in 2013, the Heartbeat Act was ruled unconstitutional under Roe v. Wade. However, in recent years, several states have proposed heartbeat laws, such as Ohio and Missouri. Although state judges have temporarily blocked overly restrictive abortion laws, this year nine states have passed laws to unreasonably restrict abortion. In the United States, President Donald Trump's pro-life stance on abortion has allowed many conservative states to pass anti-abortion laws that unreasonably restrict or explicitly ban abortion if performed early in pregnancy. In addition to state laws, President Trump has appointed conservative judges to overturn Roe v. Wade, cut funding toPlanned Parenthood clinics at the federal level and reinstate the global gag rule to limit reproductive health care abroad. On January 23, 2017, President Donald Trump signed an executive order implementing the global gag rule, an anti-abortion policy under which non-governmental organizations that receive U.S. funding for family planning cannot inform the public or educate their government on the need to make safe abortion available, provide legal abortion services, or provide advice on where to have an abortion. On a global scale, Trump's Global Gag Rule has increased unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, maternal deaths, and neonatal deaths. Because of this unjust policy, abortion rates have increased because organizations that provide access to family planning services lose federal funding and a lack of information results in illegal abortions. Overall, this policy undermines free speech, dismisses reproductive health, and imposes an anti-feminist agenda. Public Health Concerns In addition to being a political controversy, abortion is a public health issue. Denying women access to legal abortion does not prevent them from having an abortion, but only increases the likelihood of receiving illegal abortions in unsafe conditions. According to Cates, Willard, and Roger Rochat, “the total number of abortion deaths in the United States decreased from 88 in 1972 to 56 in 1973 to 48 in 1974. 85% of the decline was due to fewer women dying from abortions illegal (i.e. not carried out by doctors)”. Their data also illustrates a dramatic decline in the number of deaths from illegal abortion in the United States following the Supreme Court's 1973 abortion decisions. Evidently, legalization and abortion services must be more accessible to reduce abortion-related mortality. pregnancy. By banning abortion, many women have no choice but to carry their unwanted pregnancies to term. While this appears to be ideal for pro-life advocates, most fail to consider the negative consequences of preventing abortions. According to the authors of “Reasons US Women Have Abortions: Quantitative and Qualitative Perspectives,” a 2004 survey concluded that “the two most common reasons were “having a baby would radically change my life” and “I can't afford a baby now.” ”. Most women cited relationship problems or a desire to avoid single motherhood (48%).” Others felt that the health of their fetus had been compromised due to a lack of prenatal care, risk of birth defects due to age or genetics, a history of miscarriages, and exposure of the fetus to drugs or drugs from prescription. Evidently, having a child could interfere with a woman's education is not wise due to financial instability, poor environment, and concerns about the child's health and education. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now.Receive a custom essayConclusionWhile some may understand the socioeconomic conditions and health concerns of the “mother,” other pro-life advocates may advise people to adopt the child. However, the decision to give a child up for adoption is not at all the easy choice that anti-abortionists believe it to be. While adoption is a viable option for pregnant women with religious beliefs or personal reasons, most women are too far along in their pregnancy, do not have access to abortion clinics, or cannot afford to have an abortion. Additionally, there are over 400,000 orphans in the foster care system in the United States, while there have been 4, 2017)