Abortion: a Discussion of Both Sides of the Issue - Research Paper Example

ABORTION: A DISCUSSION OF BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE Due INTRODUCTION We live in a diverse world filled with diverse perspectives, ideologies, and viewpoints. In most cases controversial or weighty issues are resolved through finding common ground and amiable resolutions. However, some topics of issue simply fuel unending debate, no matter how much discussion and research is done; the two sides simply cannot see eye-to-eye. Abortion is exactly one of those topics that lend itself to unending argument and disagreement. Many feel that the act of abortion is reprehensible under any circumstances and if it is allowed to be legally supported is a crime against humanity and violation of human rights; specifically the unborn fetus. However on the other side of the spectrum are those that believe that denying abortion infringes on women’s rights; rights that could never be denied to men. Others try to take a middle ground perspective and argue for compromise. It is only through compromise that reasonable ethics and laws can meet in peaceful resolution of this issue; if such compromise can be found at all. HISTORY What exactly is an abortion? An a abortion is, no more and no less, than an elective procedure where an individual chooses to terminate a viable pregnancy. In modern medical circles this procedure should ideally be performed before the 24th week, or earliest in the pregnancy as possible. In the 18h and 19th century abortions were not only illegal, but downright common. The medical mindset of the era split a pregnancy into 2 stages. The stage of conception to the “quickening” and the “quickening “to birth. The “quickening” specifically refers to the point in the pregnancy when the mother can feel the fetus move in the womb, which is approximately around the 4th month (Reagan 1997). The medical fields were not yet centralized in the United States; the majority of abortions were performed by physicians and midwives, however the era, also, allowed “back-alley” procedures by amateurs to flourish. There was a study conducted that determined that there were 10,000 legal abortions conducted in New York Cite between 1925 and 1950 (Reagan 1997). Abortion procedures are generally performed in one of three ways. 1. Drugs: Ingesting drugs that will cause the body to reject the fetus; this option was always clinically unpopular due to chemical side effects. 2. Insertion: A physician will insert a foreign object, like a gauze tampon, into the cervix. This can cause contractions to begin, uterus to reject and expel the fetus. This methods essentially a forced miscarriage. 3. Dilation & Curettage or D & C: This procedure requires manual dilation of the cervix then using a curette, which is a spoon-shaped tool, and then the physician will scrape away the fetal and placental material. (Reagan 1997). 1973 was a significant year for the abortion issue. The groundbreaking Roe v. Wade case gave women the legal right, protected under federal law, to seek an abortion so as long as the procedure was performed prior to the 24th week of gestation (Caldwell January 22, 2014). According to the courts determination that it is a violation of both the 4th and 9th amendment to deny any woman the right to choose for herself if or if not she will terminate her pregnancy. Ever since, many politicians, representatives, and organizations opposed to that decision have continued to undermine and attempted elimination of that federal legalization and protection. These individuals have been dubbed the “Pro-Life” movement, while those that support a woman’s right to abortion became the “Pro-Choice” movement (Karakoulaki 2012). DISCUSSION The only thing that these two antithetical perspectives have in common is that they firmly, actively, and fervently believe is the side they argue is the ‘right” and “best” position to take. Unfortunately these extremes simply cannot see eye-to-eye on the topic of abortion, creating an unending and continuously heated debate on the topic. What makes it all the harder is that, both, side arguments possess strong points; it is difficult to apply right and wrong to the Pro-Life and Pro-Choice movements. However, in order to understand their positions better it is essential to discuss the 2 sides individually. Pro-Life Discovering that you are pregnant when you do not want it to be can be a shocking and overwhelming reality. However, according to Pro-Life advocates believe that the possibility of pregnancy is always there if you engage in sexual acts. If a child is conceived due to that encounter it is your responsibility, it would not have happened if you had not had sexual relations. Pro-Life supporters believe that life begins at the moment that it is conceived (Lowen 2014). If it is considered alive then it is legally and ethically unjust to end their existence at the whim of another; it is murder. Many of the supporters have argued about the situations of rape and incest. In these cases many victims will option or encouraged to terminate such a pregnancy. However, Pro-Life advocates believe that it under proper medical circumstances conception can be avoided altogether in cases of rape and incest (Lowen 2014). Otherwise in the eyes of the Pro-Life movement abstinence and adoption are the only acceptable and ethical choices. The Catholic Church, along with other religious organizations, has played a huge part in the Pro-life movement. Of course, they focus on the moral principles of the issue. Under their belief system life is granted by God in the form of a soul; once that soul is present to terminate the pregnancy is essentially a sin against God (Beckwith 2009).In the same vein, they also promote abstinence as the only alternative to avoiding unwanted pregnancies. Several religious denominations also oppose contraception of any kind as well. To prevent a child from being conceived defies what might have been God’s plan. This faith oriented view is shared by many, but not all supporters of the Pro-Life movement support it for faith based reasons. There are many Pro-Life advocates that look at it for practical, economic, and societal perspectives. These supporters argue that abortion procedures can lead to negative reproductive side effects, like miscarriages, the increased likelihood of ectopic pregnancies, which are pregnancies that developed in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus, and the possibility of pelvic inflammatory disease, also, increases. Many of the pregnant individuals seeking to terminate their pregnancies are very young, often minors, who feel they have no other options and come to regret and resent their decisions as they mature and move on with their lives. Finally, many Pro-Life advocates argue the injustice of government providing, or supplementing abortion procedures by using tax payer’s monies, For Pro-Life citizens it could seem unjust to use their monies for something they do not advocate or support in any way (Lowen 2014). Pro-Choice The idea behind the law that granted women the federal legalization and protection of the right to receive an abortion if she so chooses is predicated in one very specific limitation; the abortion must be performed prior to 24 weeks of gestation. This is based on the scientific and medical determination that that prior to the 24 week the organism developing within a woman is not identified as a fetus or as an actual human being. In fact, in medical settings healthcare professionals refer to the abortion results as “the product of conception,” never as a fetus or a baby. Therefore the abortion procedure does not constitute a loss of life. Most Pro-Choice advocates cannot apply personhood onto a being that is entirely dependent on another life form for its existence it is not autonomous. A woman will survive without the fetus but the fetus cannot survive without the woman, Adoption is not always the ideal solution people would like it to be. The majority of children that enter the foster care systems seldom leave it. They, also, explain that the majority of abortion cases involved young women and teenagers. After carrying the children to term they are less likely to ever give the child up; only 2% of unmarried white women and 3% of African American women give up the children they carry to term (Lowen 2014). One of their greatest issues under the umbrella of abortion that continues to be debated; those situations where pregnancy has occurred due to incest or rape the act of sexual abuses are heinous that continues to be debated; those situations where pregnancy has occurred due to incest and rape is actually quite low. The act of these sexual abuses are heinous enough, causing great physical pain, emotional anguish, and psychological trauma; to then force a victim to carry, nourish, nurture, and then bring into the world this child made in violence is tremendously insensitive and inhumane. Pro-Choice advocates often feel that Pro-Life supporters have little compassion and consideration for the women whose rights are, also, relevant. Many people feel that the Pro-Life movement represents people of religion, while the Pro-Choice is everyone else. That is, simply, not the case. However, unlike the Pro-Life movement, the Pro-Choice present the issue from a legal and ethical perspective that is not influenced by religious ideologies; after all constitutionally there is to be a separation between Church and State. They feel this issue is no different. There are many supporters of the Pro-Choice movement who are Church-going American’s who simply view the issue through the eyes of greater diversity than the narrow lens of any single religion. (Lowen 2014). Despite the oppositions positions that having an abortion procedure will result in fertility issues in the future is incredibly misleading, They medical community confirms that first term abortions performed in a proper medical setting have a nominal percentage, sometimes as low as, 0.5% of potential risk. Many experts have researched women who have had abortions felt far greater emotional trauma and psychological stress determining what to do about an unwanted pregnancy was far worse than the feelings experienced after the abortion. Pro-Choice supporters are aware of the advocates of the Pro-Life argument the usage of taxes of citizens who do not support the practices. However form a Pro-Choice perspective this is a moot point (Lowen 2014). We live in a democratic voting culture. Sometimes you get what you want and sometimes you do not. We live within the ideology that we as a country where the vote decides for us; many people do not see their candidates in office, the things they believe in, or initiatives of you support. That is the price of a democratic system sometimes things work out in your favor and sometimes it does not. If they would be forced to pay for taxes to aid in abortions that they do not believe in. This is the reality of a democratize system. Compare & Contrast The only single aspect of the abortion issues that both sides of the issue can agree upon, but for enitrely different reasons. Abortion should never be used as a form of birth control, the Pro-Life movement hold the opinion on principle and Pro-Choice advocates do not believe that abortion should be a feasible alternative to available contraception, there are measure that can be taken from condoms to spermicidal products, and contractive shots to “morning after” pills, all of which can help prevent an unwanted pregnancy form ever occurring. Many religious representatives of the Pro-Life movement are dissatisfied with contraception when abstinence should be chosen. Ultimately, the consistent antithetical perspectives of the abortion issue cannot seem to find any common ground. The arguments extend from protestors in the streets, social organizations, and political initiatives (Caldwell January 22, 2014). However, legally little has changed since Roe v. Wade 1973 for this reason the subject continues to be a point of contention among American citizens form border to border and sea to sea. ISSUES/ SOLUTIONS There are so many viewpoints, perspectives, and potential arguments from both sides on the issue. However, the core issue, the part of the argument that sets the foundation for abortion argument to begin with; when does life really begin? Again, many Pro-Life advocates believe that at the moment of conception. However, scientists, physicians, and experts have legitimized that up until the 24th week the growing cells after conception are not technically alive; no brain, organs, or human form has yet to develop. If common understanding could be found on this issue, then perhaps solutions could be found. However, once again both sides are dedicated to their perspective and are unlikely to change. Until a time common ground is found solutions will be hard to find, this is likely why the federal government despite the commonality of argument and the initiatives surrounding, simply, do not address any changes to the law established in 1973 (Beckwith 2009).Opening up “that can of worms” cold lead to greater issues, all of which, are of an ethical and moral nature that they would prefer not to “open” the issue again. No doubt abortion is one of the most difficult topics to debate; again because both sides have such strong arguments and valid opinions. However, you cannot simply arbitrarily make reproductive decisions for “all’ women if people are truly individuals. A woman’s rights should not become secondary to that of life form that has yet to truly be a “person.” In turn does the new offspring have any rights and protections as an innocent and non voluntary participant in its own creation. This is what the 24th cut off for legal abortions remains the most justifiable and humane. It protects women’s rights to choose for themselves their reproductive life and protects formed fetuses from being victims of late term abortions. CONCLUSION In the end, once again, the likelihood of the Pro-Choice and Pro-Life movements ever seeing eye-to-eye on the issue is unlikely. Generations upon generations it continues and the two sides remain, essentially, at a standoff. A woman’s status as pregnant is a personal and private issue; it should not be open to public ridicule and opinion. If she chooses to terminate her pregnancy it is her choice and right. At the same time, no one truly wants to see any single woman who flagrantly has dozens of unprotected, contraception-free, sexual encounters and receive multiple abortions as a substitute for contraception. As a society we must make the best decisions that are satisfactorily ethical, logical, and productive for the whole of society. In this case an ideal solution, simply, may not exist. However, as a civilized society it is our responsibility to continue to try. REFERENCES Caldwell, Leigh Anne. Abortion: a polarizing, emotional debate 41 years after court ruling, "CNN." Last modified January 22, 2014. Accessed April 8, 2014. http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/22/politics/abortion/. Beckwith, Francis J. "Abortion and Rape: Answering the Arguments for Abortion Rights." Christian Research Institute. (2009): 1. http://www.equip.org/articles/abortion-and-rape-answering-the-arguments-for-abortion-rights/ (accessed April 8, 2014). Karakoulaki, Marianna. " Abortion and Women’s Rights in the USA." The Globalized World Post. (2012): 1-10. https://www.academia.edu/1237734/Abortion_and_Womens_Rights_in_the_USA (accessed April 8, 2014). Lowen, Linda. 10 Abortion Arguments: 10 Arguments For Abortion, 10 Arguments Against Abortion, "Womens Issues." Last modified 2014. Accessed April 8, 2014. http://womensissues.about.com/od/reproductiverights/a/AbortionArgumen.htm. Reagan , Leslie J. When Abortion was a Crime:Women, Medicine, and Law in the United States, 1867-1973. Berkeley: Regents of the University of California, 1997. . Read More