A woman's right to choose abortion - Essay Example

Abortion has been a very controversial issue among the people since last many years. I believe that women must have a right to terminate an undesired pregnancy as it is their life and their body. Having an unwanted pregnancy may affect all aspects of a woman’s life. She might have problems in coping up with her education, career and social life. Several times, due to some health issues, giving birth to a child is declared harmful for a woman by doctors and in such conditions abortion is necessary.

In addition to that abortion is a woman’s legal right as it was legalized in the United States of America after the Joe v Wade case. Though most of the people think that abortion is a moral concern but it is a constitutional issue as well. It is a legal right of women to decide what they want to do with their body and their life without any interference or influence from any other individual. The ninth amendment of the United States of America’s constitution states that: “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

” (9th amendment of U.S. constitution). This amendment guarantees the right to have an abortion to the women. Women are legally allowed to have an abortion up to the end of first trimester. If a woman is willing to have an abortion then no one according to the constitution has the right to stop her. It is her private issue and she has complete legal authority to take a decision about it. If anyone goes against the constitution and tries to stop her then he legally is worthy of a punishment. The pro-life movement view abortion as a murder and a moral issue.

They argue that a woman having an abortion is killing a life. But this not the case as up till the first trimester the fetus is not a baby. So women have complete liberty to have an abortion according to the constitution. Women have a right to abort if there is a danger to their life or if there is a risk that the child will be born with grave physical or mental disorders. Under certain circumstances such as diabetes, depression etc. there is a chance that a woman may endanger her life while giving birth and she is also liable to give birth to a disabled child.

It was reported that: “" Women diagnosed with diabetes before they become pregnant are three times to four times more likely to give birth to a child with one or even multiple birth defects than a non diabetic mother.” (American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.). Under such circumstances women have a right to choose an abortion if they are warned by their physician. Giving birth to a disabled child means giving him a life full of complications. Moreover if a woman loses her life while giving birth to an infant then this would be hazardous for both of them.

It is better to save a woman instead of saving a fetus who is not yet alive. The right to have an abortion is essential because an unwanted pregnancy affects all aspects of a woman’s life. She might have difficulties in continuing her educational, professional and social life. This right is a part of her freedom as defined by Margaret Sanger: “No woman can call herself free who does not own and control her body. No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be a mother.

” (Margaret Sanger, Woman and the New Race.). Complete freedom demands that a woman must live her life comfortably. If she feels that giving birth to a child will restrict her freedom and will disturb her professional life then she can abort according to her will. Basically it’s the woman who has an undeniable right to decide that whether she wants to be a mother or not. No one can deprive her of this right because compelling her to give birth to unwanted child will be hazardous for her and for the child too.

Even though there are a number of restrictions on abortion but ultimately it’s a prominent right of every women. Women have every right to plan their life according to their will. And no one can compel them to go against their will and especially if the issue is as critical as abortion then they should have the right to decide that whether they want to nurture a child or not. As it was reported that: “As a civilized society we believe in planning rather than force. It is always the moralists who do the most harm.

Abortion is the logical outcome of civilization; only the jungle gives birth and molders away as nature decrees. Man plans.” (Max Frisch, Homo Faber: A Report). Therefore as a civilized society we should abide with the law and give women the right to have an abortion. And if they want to consult anyone regarding this issue then this is their choice but at the end abortion is an issue related to women and we should give them a right to take a decision regarding it.