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In life, everybody makes choices, choices whose effects can be
temporary or choices that may make waves in one’s life permanently. In
my opinion, abortion should be a choice that one is able to make. It
may make permanent or temporary changes, but if one is ultimately ready
to deal with these changes and can make the adult decision to abort, it
the right given to us as American women. Many people believe that this
issue of abortion rights is moral, but it is also a Constitutional
issue.
By the grace of the 9th amendment, women have had the right to legal
abortions since 1789. This amendment not only gave these women a needed
right, but also made life safer for the practitioners of abortion.
Before this amendment was passed, doctors feared for their lives. They
practiced in hiding for fear of “pro-lifers” coming to kill or harm
their families. If these people are so “pro-life” how can they kill
these doctors or hurt their families? It’s all a big hypocrisy. A
hypocrisy also seen in many religions.
Many of these religions disapprove of abortions as well. I have
never been one with the church. A baptized Catholic, I have never
really agreed with the teachings of the Catholic church either, their
teachings on abortion, being one of the main issues that I disagree
with. The church teaches that abortion is a sin and a moral evil. One
who commits this “sin” will be excommunicated and could never have been
a “true Catholic” if they have even considered abortion. This religion
is truly merciless with their accusals and judgments. I completely
disagree with this as well as many other points brought about by the
Catholic church, but that is another paper altogether. The bottom line
is that one’s views on abortion should not be based on how much one has
been brainwashed by their church, but by the thoughts concocted in
their very own mind.
I do not believe that abortion is murder in it’s true sense. Murder, as defined by Merriam Webster’s dictionary is:
murder: (n) the crime of unlawfully killing a person especially with malice aforethought
Abortion is not a crime and it is not usually done with malicious
intentions. Don’t get me wrong, I do not believe that abortion should
be used as a form of birth control, but if there is an unwanted fetus,
it is better to terminate it then bring it into the world to live a
life of abuse, poverty or sickness. It is for some, an escape but for
others a blessing.
All too often I hear of young girls and women who have been raped
and become pregnant. It is so disheartening to know that when that baby
is born, it is born bearing the sickening memory of what preceded it.
In this case, why should that woman have to live with such a horrible
memory on her shoulders? I believe that a woman should have the right
to do as she pleases. She should have the right to “rid” herself of
something that will forever haunt her of the pain she went through.
Perhaps this will even prevent future suffering of the mother and child.
Then there is the scenario of a woman living in poverty that has
become pregnant with a child. If that woman does not believe that she
can provide for this being sufficiently, I believe that she has the
right to terminate the pregnancy. This woman is thinking ahead for the
well being of her child. Most people want their children to lead a
better life than they, themselves did. In this case, it would be very
difficult for the child to do well, living in poverty and the child
will possibly never get the chance to fulfill its capabilities.
What if a woman becomes pregnant with a direly ill child? What if
that woman feels she cannot deal with the emotional stress of having an
incapacitated child? Must this woman be forced to go through with a
pregnancy that will only leave her attached to her child and
emotionally unstable and unable to care for this child? I do not think
so. Much emotional and physical stress is placed on the shoulders of
parents with disabled children. Some parents may give under this
tremendous pressure and not be able to care for the child, leaving it
to grow up basically alone. Also, even though there are many
successful, disabled individuals, there still is the population of
disabled people that live in depressed and anxiety, not knowing what to
do with themselves. They may have a feeling of worthlessness. This is
an unhealthy way to grow up. I believe it would be better to terminate
the birth.
A woman’s body is hers and hers alone, and although there is a 5-10%
increase in infertility with an abortion, that is just a fact that the
woman has to live with (Hardy 142). This fetus, for I shall not refer
to it as a child, does not yet possess “person” qualities. It is not
conscious of it’s surroundings, it cannot reason, it does not perform
self motivated activities, and it cannot communicate (Hardy 186). This
child does not carry out life as we know it.
I believe that life begins with the passing of a fetus through the
birth canal. Hence the name “birth”. To give birth is to give life;
therefore, I believe that they occur at the same time. If a woman made
the decision to begin to have sex, she is faced with the consequences
of abortion side effects. With an abortion comes a great variety of
these side effects. Women can go into depression, denial, and may even
experience physical problems such as large amounts of emotional trauma
and guilt. This is a common myth that is connected with abortions.
Realize, though, that this is not the majority. Studies show that of
the over 45 million abortions performed to date, most women go on to
lead healthy, prominent lives. These women can do things no others can
do because they are strong minded and can make decisions of their own.
They do not have to go by what everyone else believes. These women are
pioneers. These women break the molds and beliefs of most.
Everyday millions of Americans and so-called “pro-lifers” step on
cockroaches and ants. Is this “murder”? Everyday these same millions
set traps to catch mice to kill them. Is this murder? Everyday these
millions eat beef, chicken, and pork. Is this murder? I believe that
this is murder, but I do it. I do it to survive just as some women have
abortions to survive (there are many women who cannot make it through
labor). I do it because I am okay with it. If that is my choice, it
should not bother anyone else because I am not imposing on other
people’s beliefs; I am simply carrying out my life with my choices. If
I choose to abort my first child, so be it. If I choose to step on the
next cockroach that runs by, who cares? Am I bothering anyone? I think
to make this world one in which people can agree on abortion issues,
people should not concern themselves with what others want. Let the 17
year old pregnant girl abort her fetus. She made a mistake, but she,
too has a life to live. With a child this girl probably would never get
to go to college, but without it she will live a better life, and live
to make something of her life.
“Abortion.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 1996 ed.
Allen, Kim. Abortion: Your Choice. Sept 1996. Nov 19, 2001.
<http://www.io.com/~wwwomen/abortion/>
Hardy, Richard J. Government in America. Iowa: Hougton Mifflin, 1992.
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