Abortion is a practice that has existed for many centuries. In the early time, pregnancies were terminated by the administrating abortive herbs, using sharpened instruments, engaging in strenuous exercises, lifting of heavy objects and even riding on animals. In view of the countless deaths and permanent injuries suffered by pregnant women as a result of abortion, every member state of the Union criminalized abortion in 1880 (“Abortion”). The laws against abortion, however, did not prevent thousands of women from availing of services of doctors who performed abortions secretly.
In 1960s and the 1970s efforts of women’s rights group, doctors and concerned mothers began to bear fruit as they continued to fight for abortion reform. One of the arguments used for the liberalization of abortion laws is that it promotes equality of the sexes. On January 22, 1973, in the landmark case of Roe v Wade, the US Supreme Court upheld the constitutional right of pregnant women to abortion. It declared that “the right to privacy… founded in the Fourteenth Amendment’s concept of personal liberty, is broad enough to encompass a woman’s decision whether or not to terminate the pregnancy” (Roe v. Wade, 410 US 113)
The decision was considered a victory for pro-abortion movements and for the women as it helped in bringing about better and safer abortion services. In July 1976, however, as a result of the lobbying and pressures coming from the anti-abortion groups headed by the Catholic Church, Congress passed the Hyde Amendment which banned Medicaid funding for abortion unless the woman’s life is in danger.
It would appear while the Supreme Court has recognized the constitutional right of pregnant women to avail of abortion services, the legislature seeks to weaken this right by denying them the medical benefits. Meanwhile, many pregnant women continue to avail abortion which is now considered one of the most common medical procedures undergone by women aged 15-44 in the United States (Jones, Zolna, Henshaw & Finer 2008, p.2).
Considering the conflicting policies on abortion by the Judiciary and the Legislature, this essay seeks to analyze the different arguments for and against abortion. The objective of this paper is to prove that abortion is not murder and that it is not immoral.