Is abortion murder? Is abortion only acceptable in the cases of rape and incest? Does a woman have the right to choose what she does with her own body? Across the United States, Americans stand staunchly divided on the topic of abortion. Everybody has an opinion, but who is right? According to the article “Abortion Facts,” approximately 42 million pregnancies end in abortion annually around the world (Abortion). In 2011, approximately 1.1 million of those abortions took place in the United States alone (Jones, 3). That means that about 3.315 American abortions are performed daily. “Abortion Facts” goes on to state that ”[a]n estimated 35% of all women will have at least 1 abortion by the time they are 45 years old” and that nearly half of
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Some choose abortion because they cannot currently afford to raise a child. Others may choose abortion because the pregnancy was unintended. In 2011, 45% of pregnancies were unintended, and 42% of those ended in abortion (Finer). For some, a child does not line up with their current lifestyle or future goals. Another reason a woman may give for choosing abortion is rape or incest. Oftentimes, a woman who has been a victim of such a crime will decide upon abortion because she does not want to carry a child that was conceived during a violent crime; she does not want to relive that nightmare over and over again every time she looks into the eyes of her child. In their chapter of the book Feminism, the Center for Reproductive Rights states that a “woman who becomes pregnant through an act of nonconsensual sex would be forced to bear a child were she denied her right to an abortion” (117). While it is unfair to punish a woman for a crime committed against her, it is also unfair to punish a child by taking away his right to life because of that same crime. While the situation is a difficult one because the mother is thrust into a situation she was not prepared for, the fact remains that the child is not at fault. “[Society] must not impose the ugliness of rape or incest upon either the innocent woman or the innocent child” (Alcorn, 212). The rapist is the one who should be punished, not the mother or the child. Members of …show more content…
Half of all women receiving abortions in the United States are under the age of twenty-five, and sixty-six percent of women who receive abortions have never been married (Abortion). Regardless of a woman’s reasons for choosing an abortion, in the vast majority of cases, she made choices that left her pregnant in the first place, and she needs to take responsibility for her actions. In the book Feminism, Frederica Matthews points out that the best way to prevent unplanned pregnancies is to be responsible sexually. Contraceptives sometimes fail, leaving abstinence as the only fail-proof method of contraceptive (124). She goes on to state that women should consider marriage before becoming pregnant. Other viable options include faithful child support and having an adoption plan (124). Optimally, a couple should take steps in the beginning to avoid pregnancy altogether. It is the responsibility of the mother and the father to raise the child that they created together, and if they are unable, they should choose options other than abortion, including giving the baby up for
Some choose abortion because they cannot currently afford to raise a child. Others may choose abortion because the pregnancy was unintended. In 2011, 45% of pregnancies were unintended, and 42% of those ended in abortion (Finer). For some, a child does not line up with their current lifestyle or future goals. Another reason a woman may give for choosing abortion is rape or incest. Oftentimes, a woman who has been a victim of such a crime will decide upon abortion because she does not want to carry a child that was conceived during a violent crime; she does not want to relive that nightmare over and over again every time she looks into the eyes of her child. In their chapter of the book Feminism, the Center for Reproductive Rights states that a “woman who becomes pregnant through an act of nonconsensual sex would be forced to bear a child were she denied her right to an abortion” (117). While it is unfair to punish a woman for a crime committed against her, it is also unfair to punish a child by taking away his right to life because of that same crime. While the situation is a difficult one because the mother is thrust into a situation she was not prepared for, the fact remains that the child is not at fault. “[Society] must not impose the ugliness of rape or incest upon either the innocent woman or the innocent child” (Alcorn, 212). The rapist is the one who should be punished, not the mother or the child. Members of …show more content…
Half of all women receiving abortions in the United States are under the age of twenty-five, and sixty-six percent of women who receive abortions have never been married (Abortion). Regardless of a woman’s reasons for choosing an abortion, in the vast majority of cases, she made choices that left her pregnant in the first place, and she needs to take responsibility for her actions. In the book Feminism, Frederica Matthews points out that the best way to prevent unplanned pregnancies is to be responsible sexually. Contraceptives sometimes fail, leaving abstinence as the only fail-proof method of contraceptive (124). She goes on to state that women should consider marriage before becoming pregnant. Other viable options include faithful child support and having an adoption plan (124). Optimally, a couple should take steps in the beginning to avoid pregnancy altogether. It is the responsibility of the mother and the father to raise the child that they created together, and if they are unable, they should choose options other than abortion, including giving the baby up for