Abortion is perhaps one of the oldest and most controversial issues in American society today. The topic of abortion continues to divide American’s all across the country. Abortion is not only a morality, human right, and religious issue to people it is also a political issue that uniquely qualifies it is highly debatable and a sensitive topic. The legality and policies vary greatly from state to state and differ widely from coast to coast.
Abortion in the United States prior to 1973 was legal up to the point where a mother could actually feel her fetus moving, which typically occurs in a women’s pregnancy in the first trimester. Therefore, a woman was limited to the first trimester to receive an abortion before new legislation was instituted. In 1973, the revolutionary supreme court case Roe versus Wade changed abortion policies in the United States. The finding in this case were that a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion was protected by the 14th amendment in the United States Constitution. Thus, the decision made it legal to get an abortion after the first trimester of pregnancy.
In order to best understand changes that have recently developed in Illinois, it is important to briefly outline the history of reproductive rights as it pertains to Illinoisans. In 1827 abortion-inducing drugs were outlawed. In 1867, abortions became illegal with the exceptions of aborting after rape or for health reasons. In 1973, after supreme court hearing Roe versus Wade, abortions became legal. In 2017, Illinois was recognized as a destination for out-of-state women seeking abortion. This was due to the fact that many other states had very strict laws regarding abortions.
On March 1,, 2020, the governor passed a bill called the Reproductive Health Act. This bill changed policies surrounding the former way of obtaining an abortion in the state of Illinois. The restrictions that were set in place now include that at least one parent of a minor must be notified prior to the abortion. Another change is that an abortion may be performed at or after viability only if the patient’s life or health is endangered.
The Reproductive Health Act changed many things for woman’s healthcare. What many people become upset about was the part of the bill that made it possible for a woman to get an abortion into her third trimester. According to the ACLU this bill also includes “recognizing that each person has a fundamental right to make decisions about reproductive health care including “contraception, abortion, and maternity care.” The bill establishes that private insurance plans cover abortion at the same rate they would cover any other care in regard to pregnancy, which makes abortions more easily accessible for individuals who otherwise may have to pay out of pocket for a medical procedure.
There are many anti-abortion activists that are appalled at the changes that this bill has created. They believe that an abortion is synonymous with murder. They believe that women should be charged with murder for these acts. Anti-abortionists do not agree with their tax dollars going to causes that helps women to end their pregnancy resulting in the death of their unborn child. They make the argument that there are many people in the world that want children and are waiting to adopt a child while there are others that are killing their child. They believe that many women who abort their child are using this procedure as a form of contraceptives. In the instances that a woman is raped they think it would be a better choice to seek “the morning after pill” to refrain from any unwanted pregnancies. Complications from procedures is another point that activists wish to point out. If there are not complications medically, the mental health of a women who ended her pregnancy is known to be higher with the women often feeling regret for her choice.
To counter the argument against third trimester abortions, pro-choice activist report that nearly all abortions, about 90%, take place during the first trimester except in the case of mother being unable to safely carry the fetus. Individuals on the side of pro-choice argue that sometimes it is not safe to carry a fetus full term and that adoption is not a viable choice to many mothers. They also argue that third-trimester abortions are usually performed when a child has a serious defect, such that they would probably die at birth or within the first hours after birth. Adoption, on the surface level, seems like a good option, but often it is difficult for the mother to give her baby away at the time of birth.
Rape and incest are traumatic for any person. However, when a fetus in produced as a result it becomes a little more complicated. Not only does rape and incest cause trauma, shame is also birthed as a result. Shame and secrecy go hand in hand and often the mother doesn’t want to admit she was raped or has the possibility of being pregnant. Pro-choice activists are charged with defending against arguments about taxpayer dollars going toward abortion. Pro-choice advocates argue that taxpayer dollars support many activities that may go against someone ideals and even morals, such as war. Also, on the back end if a person has a child with whom they cannot support and attempt to raise, the chances of taxpayers’ dollars being spent on entitlements and benefits for that family potentially continue until the child is an adult. Banning abortion does not save money.
While Illinois certainly has become a controversial state with their abortion laws, it is clear many people remain firm when it comes to their views and will continue to argue their views. In the next 10 years, it will be interesting to see where people stand on the topic of reproductive rights in Illinois and if their voices were heard to a point where legislative changes will be made.
This paper discusses some of the points made by pro-life and pro-choice advocates in the abortion dispute. You might have observed that the root of the conflict is the different assumptions or premises the two camps use. If the embryo or fetus is not a person, then restricting abortion violates the human rights and the autonomy of the women. And, as the American Supreme Court decided, citizens have a right to expect privacy in their medical care, so if a doctor and a patient decide that an abortion is necessary, the government does not have a right to interject itself into that relationship and forbid this procedure. For those who oppose abortion, the pregnancy involves a new person, and that unborn child person must be protected, and their life must be preserved. At some point between conception and birth, we become persons, but determining where that line is crossed is a matter that seems somewhat arbitrary.
The Pew Foundation regularly surveys Americans to learn about popular opinion concerning abortions. In 2020 it seems about 33% want abortion to be harder to get (including those who want to ban abortion). About 26% want abortion to be easier to get. About 39% say abortion is appropriately available, and should remain as easy/difficult to get as it currently is.
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