Abortion (first Draft)

Abortion

Abortion should not be abolished, but rather used in regards to special cases. Abortion should not be a form of birth control, but instead used as assistance for those who fall victim illnesses, rape crimes, and anything else that makes the pregnancy detrimental to the female's health.

Each year almost one million teenage girls in the U.S. become pregnant. An estimated total of 40 percent of them actually give birth. The remainders of the young girls have either abortions or miscarriages ("Teen", Facts on File). Although these rates have dropped recently, they are still very high. Teens are the largest group to have abortions. Another large group of people to have abortions are single women, as well as the college students. These women do not have the funds they need to care for themselves as well as a child. They tend to feel helpless and alone, so they opt to have abortions.

In order to prevent these abortions amongst teens, teen pregnancies need to be prevented. Sex Education programs as well as protection should be provided, and dwelled on at schools. Parents need to step up and speak to their children. Teachers, counselors, and other adult leaders should express their feelings on the topic.

Abortion has been performed for thousands of years, and in every society that has been studied (Henshaw, "Induced Abortion"). Abortion has been legal in the U.S. since colonization. Abortions are not only popular in the U.S., but globally. Now there are certain procedures and laws that have to be followed in regards to abortions. In the mid- 1800's, abortion was made illegal (Henshaw, "Induced Abortion"). The anti-abortion laws differed from each state, based off of morality, beliefs, and goals. During the 1800's, all surgical procedures, especially abortion, were very dangerous and risky. Hospitals were not equipped with the proper tools, and knowledge to perform procedures. After medicines that prevented infections, and bacteria from entering the body was invented, performed operations in general became a lot safer. Within the time period with out efficient hospitals, women who needed abortions turned toward illegal doctors. These were referred to as the "Back Alley" abortions. Back Alley abortions are still in effect today. They are a lot more dangerous, but by far more secretive, and cheaper.

Today's abortion rights movement began as the American Birth Control League. One of its founding contributors was Margaret Sanger; A German woman who advocated for women's rights, as well as racism. The original purpose for Sanger creating those organizations was so Blacks become sterilized, and that way the number of African American children being born would stay at low numbers. Over time Sanger did not want to be remembered for her association with Adolf Hitler and other racists,