Abortion: Do I Matter Even Though I'm Small?

In society today, there is an ongoing debate between those supporting and opposing abortion. Many agree that abortion is wrong no matter the reason behind it and others believe that sometimes an abortion is the only option. Since no one can really come to a common meeting ground many, agree to disagree on the topic. To say that women cannot have an abortion is taking away her personal right at the same token one would agree that limits and restrictions should be applied. Abortion should not be used as a form of birth control. However, there are circumstances where I feel that abortion is necessary in situations that are uncontrollable. Having strong opinions for pro-life and pro-choice I would found it hard to pick a side to defend so instead I am going to argue both pro-life and pro-choice.

The case Roe vs. Wade decided in 1973 that abortion is a personal issue that can be handled outside the courtroom. Abortions are legal within limits because after the first trimester both the woman and fetus health becomes an issue. When a woman decides to have an abortion, many say that she is choosing to end a life before it even begins on the other hand; others believe that having an abortion is taking an innocent life. When does life really begin is a question that many have been trying to answer for years. One may say as soon as the woman becomes pregnant and the other may say after a heartbeat is developed.

Pro Choice is defined as "a belief that pregnant women should have free, or relatively free, access to abortion, advocating a woman's right to control her own body" (Collins English Dictionary). Those who are pro-choice argue, "Nearly all abortions take place in the first trimester, when a fetus cannot exist independent of the mother. As it is attached by the placenta and umbilical cord, its health is dependent on her health, and cannot be regarded as a separate entity as it cannot exist outside her womb" (Lowen). Taking into consideration that the baby is still within the mother's womb, she still has a choice whether or not she wants to keep it or to have an abortion. It is not until birth that the mother loses her right to decide to have an abortion. I would have to argue that once the baby has developed all its organs that are necessary to survive having an abortion is no longer an option.

I believe women should have the right to choose what to do with their bodies as long as it does not bring any unnecessary harm or danger to her or the fetus. A woman that decides to engage in unprotected sex willingly should have to deal with the consequences that may come. However, if keeping the child would cause the child to be neglected and giving the baby up for adoption is not an option than abortion is the next step. Why bring a baby into the world knowing that you may not be able to afford all of his or her needs, which can later turn into neglect. I would personally rather a woman to abort than to bring an innocent baby into this world to suffer.

According to a survey done by Torres and Forrest, many women decided to have abortion after considering all the pros and cons that comes with having a child. "Slightly less than one-third of respondents said they had decided to have an abortion because they were not ready for the responsibility of having a child, because they did not want others to find out they were sexually active or had become pregnant or because they were not mature enough to have a child". This quote shows that not every women uses abortion as a form of birth control. Abortion is not just an easy way out for everyone nor is it an easy decision to make. A woman that makes the choice to abort her child will live with that decision for the rest of her life. Having an abortion will leave her mentally, emotionally, and physically affected and the road to recovery will not be an easy road.

The right to have an abortion is important because what happens to the woman that is rape and because of the traumatic experience, she becomes pregnant. "One percent of all abortions occur because of rape or incest" (The Alan Guttmacher Institute). Should she be forced to keep a child that she did not want or ask for? No, according to Marquis when a woman is raped she should not be held at fault for becoming pregnant. She did not make the decisions to engage in sexual activity but was forced to therefore, having an abortion is the best thing to do. If a woman feels forced to keep a child against her will, the pregnancy will cause more unnecessary problems that could be eliminated thru an abortion. "In the case of rape or incest, forcing a woman made pregnant by this violent act would cause further psychological harm to the victim. Often a woman is too afraid to speak up or is unaware she is pregnant" (Lowen).

There are so many reasons why pro-choice and making abortions legal is affective. Keeping abortions legal with boundaries helps keep woman alive and prevent them from making unintelligent decisions. For example, instead of women performing their own abortion or finding someone to give her an abortion illegally, which ends up putting her health at risk, she is able to go to a clinic and seek professional assistance. "Dr. Bernard Nathanson, co-founder of NARAL (National Abortion Rights Action League) who is now pro-life, admits that his group lied about the number of women who died from illegal abortion when testifying before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1972" (American Life League). Women should also be able to have an abortion if having the child will cost the women their life. If a woman cannot carry they baby to full term and the doctor informs the woman ahead of time then having an abortion is appropriate. "It should be