Introduction
Abortion refers to a procedure of terminating pregnancy through the means of medicines or surgery. Though the decision of ending pregnancy is very personal affair but as termination of pregnancy involves killing a child, there are lots of conflicts of opinion over abortion whether or not it is just. Mother Teresa commented on abortion, "I feel the greatest destroyer of peace today is 'Abortion', because it is a war against the child A direct killing of the innocent child, 'Murder' by the mother herself." (Goodreads) While Mother Teresa's opinion goes against abortion, there are people who are in for abortion. According to them, a woman should be allowed the right whether or not she would keep the baby because at the end it is she who would have to bear the pain of giving birth. American birth control activist Margaret Sanger opined, "“No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be a mother.” (Goodreads) Taking into consideration the opposing views regarding abortion, this paper will discuss the matter in detail throwing light upon the history of abortion, arguments of people for and against abortion. Abortion, in my view, is not a fair practice because life begins at conception, many people seeking baby for adoption and finally, a woman should practice the right to control her body taking the preventive measures to control unwanted pregnancy.
Brief History of Abortion Right
Abortion was legal in the US until 1880 by which time abortion was banned in most of the states except when the woman was in danger of dying. After abortion was made illegal, many women resorted to dangerous means like inserting knitting needle or coat hanger into the vagina and uterus to abort a child. In 1960s, women liberation movement first brought to light how women putting their lives at right underwent illegal abortions. New York was the first state to legalize abortion in the US. Finally in 1973 after years of feminist struggle for the right of abortion, the US Supreme Court decreed that a woman can terminate pregnancy in the first semester under the right of privacy in the Fourteenth Amendment of US constitution. (Our Bodies Ourselves)
My Arguments against Abortion
- Life forms at Conception
People in favor of abortion argue that since most of the pregnancies are terminated in the first semester when the fetus cannot live outside the mother's womb, it cannot be regarded as separate entity. I believe life begins the very moment a woman conceives. A baby begins to grow right from the day of its conception. By the end of the first trimester, a baby is fully formed with arms, fingers, feet and toe. Hence it would be improper to say that a fetus is not a separate entity during the first semester when most of the pregnancies are terminated. Abortion amounts to murder as it involves snatching a human life.
- Adoption
People in favor of abortion argue that abortion saves a woman from unwanted pregnancy and the unwanted responsibility of raising a child. It is not mandatory that a biological mother would have to bear the responsibility of rearing up a child if she is psychologically and financially unfit. There are many childless couples seeking for adoption. The mother can give the baby up for adoption if she is unwilling to take the liability. I have a relative who is unable to conceive due to physical problem and now she is raising an adopted child very happily. There are many like her yearning to fill the void of their lives through adoption. Abortion not only kills a baby, it destroys the chance of adoption for childless couples.
- Responsible use of Contraception
People in favor of adoption argue that it is the civil right of a woman to be allowed to control her body. There is no denying the fact a person should have the right to control his or her own body but in the course of practicing that right, one should be aware of not harming the right to life of another person and that is the unborn baby in this case. Hence I believe women who claim the right to have complete control over their body should practice such control to prevent the risk of becoming pregnant through the use of contraception pills, condoms and so much as abstinence. Proper protective measures taken during the intercourse and afterwards would keep a woman safe from unwanted pregnancy, be in total control of her body and her freedom and no unborn baby will be harmed in the process.
Conclusion
Abortion is a sensitive affair that involves murdering an embryo. Over the years, there have been a lot of debates and discrepancies in opinion as regards the justness of abortion. While many think that a woman should be allowed the freedom to control her own body, others believe that when another life is endangered in allowing that freedom then that freedom better be not in place.
Works Cited
1. Linda Lowen, 10 Abortion Arguments: 10 Arguments for Abortion, 10 Arguments Against Abortion, Retrieved on 26th April 2013 http://womensissues.about.com/od/reproductiverights/a/AbortionArgumen.htm
2. Abortion, Our Bodies Ourselves, Retrieved on 26th April 2013 http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/book/excerpt.asp?id=27
3. U.S. Abortion History, June 26, 2012, Retrieved on 26th April 2013 http://www.abort73.com/abortion_facts/us_abortion_history/
4. A logical argument against abortion, Slick Matt, Retrieved on 26th April 2013 http://carm.org/logical-argument-against-abortion
5. Abortion, Retrieved on 26th April 2013, http://www.rsrevision.com/GCSE/christian_perspectives/life/abortion/against.htm
6. Quotes About Abortion, Retrieved on 26th April 2013, http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/abortion?auto_login_attempted=true
