The landmark decision by our Supreme Court in 1973, Roe v. Wade, is one of the most influential Supreme Court decisions affecting women still today. Prior to Roe v. Wade, society had just experienced a sexual revolution and a strong feminist movement of the 1960's. (thought) Women were empowered and wanted their voices heard. Women demanded rights and control over their bodies. The legalization of abortion, with an emphasis on privacy as it relates to abortion, was a fight that was not going away. Ironically, the battle over legalizing abortion, during their first trimester, began in Texas. In 1970, Norma L. McCorvey ("Jane Roe"), a pregnant woman who lived in the Dallas area, wanted to terminate her pregnancy in a protected medical environment. During this time, in Texas, if a woman's life was not endangered, it was illegal for a woman to get an abortion. Jane Roe's life was not endangered. Roe filed a lawsuit against the Dallas County District Attorney, Henry Wade, in Texas federal court, where the courts found that Texas law violated the Constitution. (thought.co) Wade appealed the case to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court first heard the case in 1971, but the Supreme Court Justices were in a period of transition. President Nixon was appointing new justices to the court. The justices decided to postpone a decision until the court was at full strength. The Supreme Court began reviewing the case again in October of 1972 and made their landmark decision to strike down the Texas law and legalize abortion during the first trimester, or first three months of pregnancy, in January 1973 with a vote of 7-2. (u-s-history) The court went on to specify that "Person", as used in the Constitution, did not pertain to the unborn. It also specified that the mother's health must be protected by the state after the first trimester. The Supreme Court also decided that there was a "constitutional right to privacy in the 1st, 4th, 9th & 14th amendments"; although, the constitution did not unequivocally mention the right to privacy. It was determined that the "right to privacy" included a women's right to terminate her pregnancy. Today, there still exist great debate as to when life begins and if a fetus is protected by the Constitution. The two judges who disagreed with the decision, White and Rehnquist, were disgusted with the decision and stated this was an "exercise of raw judicial power. The court simply
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(Text) Because Roe v. Wade was drawn out for nearly three years, and because McCorvey (Roe) was never granted a legal abortion, she had given birth to a daughter and had her child adopted prior to the Roe v. Wade decision. Roe claims much of this case was lies and ironically, today she is a Pro-Life supporter whose faith in Christianity is strong. (Lifenews) Whether Roe v. Wade was full of lies or not, the strategic model was clearly at work in the justices decision making. The Roe v. Wade decision was determined during a time when women wanted their opinions heard and were extremely vocal about women rights and equality. In 1973, the political arena, public opinion and the other justices decisions made for the perfect time to legalize abortion, a decision made at a time in history when the Supreme Court believed the determination would receive legitimacy and
(Text) Because Roe v. Wade was drawn out for nearly three years, and because McCorvey (Roe) was never granted a legal abortion, she had given birth to a daughter and had her child adopted prior to the Roe v. Wade decision. Roe claims much of this case was lies and ironically, today she is a Pro-Life supporter whose faith in Christianity is strong. (Lifenews) Whether Roe v. Wade was full of lies or not, the strategic model was clearly at work in the justices decision making. The Roe v. Wade decision was determined during a time when women wanted their opinions heard and were extremely vocal about women rights and equality. In 1973, the political arena, public opinion and the other justices decisions made for the perfect time to legalize abortion, a decision made at a time in history when the Supreme Court believed the determination would receive legitimacy and