The topic of abortion has long been a matter of divided opinion and remains a highly controversial issue in today’s society. Abortion is the termination of a woman’s pregnancy, which is the decision that can be influenced by a variety of factors, such as medical complications, personal circumstances and social pressures. For some people, it is an issue of reproductive rights and bodily autonomy, while for others, it is a moral and ethical issue involving the protection of human life. Despite the complexity and sensitivity of this topic, I believe that women should have the right to choose whether or not to have an abortion because it is their body, their life, and their decision. In this essay, I will explore the pro and anti-abortion arguments, as well as the legal and social implications associated with them.
First, bodily autonomy is a fundamental human right. Women should have control and autonomy over their own bodies, including the right to decide their own reproductive health and to choose whether to terminate a pregnancy. The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 1973 decision of Roe v. Wade reflects a constitutional right to privacy and a woman’s choice to have an abortion. This decision represented a recognition of the constitutional right to privacy and a woman’s right to choose an abortion, and gave women a qualified constitutional right to an abortion. As, “The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade embodies the essential American values of freedom and privacy. More than 30 years after it was decided, Roe remains a pillar of constitutional law that supports the health and well-being of women and their families” and the Roe v. Wade’s decision “recognizes a fundamental principle: Certain decisions are so personal and life-altering that they must be made by individuals and their families, not by politicians” (Keenan 2006). Women should have the right to decide about their lives and their future. A woman’s decision to terminate a pregnancy may be based on a variety of factors, such as her personal experience, financial conditions, or current life situation. Denying women the right to make this decision is equal to denying them their reproductive rights and autonomy.
Secondly, women should have access to safe and legal abortion services. When women do not have access to safe and legal abortions, they may resort to unsafe and illegal methods, which can put a woman’s health and life at risk. The two articles I found on this argument discuss, “ NARAL’s Keenan says, ‘Legal abortion has brought about significant improvements in women’s health’, citing a drop in the abortion-related death rate from 4.1 deaths per 100,000 abortions in 1973 when the procedure was legalized to 0.6 deaths in 1997” (Jost & Koch, 2006) and “If Roe v. Wade is overturned by the Supreme Court, poor women would be affected the most. Women who are denied abortions are more likely to end up in poverty, be unemployed, and turn to public assistance” (Gilman, 2021). This is a significant way to highlight how safe and legal abortion is linked to a woman’s physical health. For women who cannot afford to have children and care for their newborns, being denied access to abortion can lead to economic hardship, including loss of income and limited career opportunities, etc. When women do not have access to professional abortion services, they may choose to self-induce abortions or seek help from providers who are not professionally trained, which can lead to serious health complications. Therefore, society should support women and provide support to ensure they have access to safe and timely abortion care.
Even though some people advocate for women’s right to abortion, there are also anti-abortion arguments. Those who oppose abortion will argue that abortion is immoral. This is because they believe that the fetus is also a human life and that terminating the pregnancy is the same as ending the life. “women be told that a fetus feels pain during an abortion and that an abortion ends the life of ‘a separate, unique, living human being’ ” (Jost, 2010). People who are anti-abortion believe that abortion is morally wrong and they would argue that the fetus also has bodily autonomy and abortion violates the rights of the fetus. Some even feel that women who choose to have an abortion should be punished. However, punishing women who choose abortion only further stigmatizes and harms them, and does not help address the underlying reasons why women seek abortions. It also fails to realize that criminalizing abortion does not actually reduce the number of abortions, but rather puts women in more serious risk.
In conclusion, abortion is a topic that has always been highly controversial because it involves complex and sensitive issues of morality, ethics and human rights. “Delayed medical care, uncertainty about when an abortion is legal and how to deal with unwanted pregnancies are increasingly common following the June 24 Supreme Court decision overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide”(Rosenkrantz, 2022). However, the fundamental question is who exactly has the right to decide about a woman’s body and life? Ultimately, women should have the final say on whether or not to terminate their pregnancy. To deny them that choice would be tantamount to denying women their autonomy, dignity, and basic human rights. Therefore, we should support women’s access to safe, legal and affordable abortion services and work to create a society where all women are free to choose their reproductive health.
2 thoughts on “Xinlin Luo Essay Draft”
1. Argument: women should have the right to choose whether or not to have an abortion because it is their body, their life, and their decision. Controversy, for or against abortion.
2. The topic sentence of the body paragraph
First, bodily autonomy is a fundamental human right.
Secondly, women should have access to safe and legal abortion services.
Even though some people advocate for women’s right to abortion, there are also anti-abortion arguments.
3. Examples like the first premise are evidenced by the US Supreme Court’s landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.
4. The draft includes 5 sources, one from CQ Researcher
5. References to (Keenan 2006), supporting the author’s view that women should have the right to determine their own lives and futures.
6. Include an opposing point, followed by a counterargument. Countering punishment for women who choose to have abortions only further stigmatizes and harms them, and does nothing to address the underlying reasons why women seek abortions.
7 The last paragraph identifies “we” – society as a whole.
8. Well organized
9. What are the strengths of this draft?
Clear structure, using conjunctions such as first second third. . . .
10. There can be more explanations in the rebuttal paragraph.
The intro is off to a great start, the thesis is clear. The intro briefly touches on what will be discussed in the rest of the paper. The premises are clearly stated at the beginning of each body along with evidence from CQ to support it. It is clear and informative throughout and your argument is strong. Touching base on the history of this argument speaking of the implications that will follow with the limited access to safe abortions. The premise for the opposing side is clear, many people view it as immoral. The evidence supporting all premises is clearly explained and the paper is overall organized well. The rebuttal to the opposing side is well drafted. Limiting access doesn’t actually stop abortions from happening, rather leads women to take far more dangerous routes to have one which may actually cause the fetus more harm in reference to their argument. The conclusion is affirmative and a well constructed claim, closing with one last quote. Excellent job!