Abortion has been a very sensitive topic in today’s society. It is connected with being pro-life and with being pro-choice. Others say that being pro to contraceptives, abortions and family planning are people who promote the freedom of choice to families and individuals. However, some say that being pro-choice suppresses and strips away the right to live of infants and children that is why most religion are against it and are pro-life. Some state governments were able to address this particular issue like the state of Texas. Although laws regarding abortion are debatable, let us see how the state of Texas approached this issue to come up with policies in connection with abortion.
I selected this particular policy because many women nowadays undergo this type of process and what alarming is that according to statistics, about one-third of the American women population usually have an abortion by the time she will reach the age of 45. In addition to that, the age of the women became younger and younger each year that is why this issue should be given attention. Abortion, if performed properly by licensed physicians, is also the fastest and safest surgical procedures for women in the United States. Less than 0.5 % of the women who had abortions experience complications. Also, the risk of death that is with connection to abortion is just about 10% of those who are associated with child birth (Jones, no page)
I intend to analyze Texas’ Laws on Abortion if it is really for the women and how it addressed moral and ethical issues regarding abortion. Why the state addressed this issue and who are the ones in favor and the ones opposing their laws.
The laws and statues of the state of Texas regarding abortion first enacted in 1854 (Texas Laws, no page). It is a movement for the increasing complications done because of improper execution of surgeries in relation to abortion and to give the women their own rights to choose what to do with their bodies but should still be given guidance and should undergo a proper process. The passing of this law was favoured by women simply because it is made with a purpose of protecting them and their rights. However, the church shows their opposition in this particular law because they view it as an act of murder to the infants’ innocent lives.
The Texas Laws on Abortion is so far working if you are to view it as a tool for national security. Like what has been written before, it was able to minimize the number of casualties to women undergoing abortion-related processes to less than 0.5% (Jones, no page). In addition to that, Texas also gives mandatory parental consent for minors which is a good step to have a parental guidance and support through the abortion process. Also, the physicians and facilities that are practicing abortion-related processes should have a license and should follow the standards set forth by the Texas government. The Texas community is also supplied with enough abortion clinics so that the citizens of Texas especially the women do not have to go far places just to have an abortion (Texas Abortion Laws, no page). These clinics however were later on reduced to just eight clinics and this sparked up disputes because most women find this as a form of suppression of their rights (Wolf, no page).
I have learned many things about the Texas Laws on abortion and the abortion process as a whole. We used to view this particular issue as a taboo one. However, the government thought of a good way to address this issue that will promote the right of women to choose and to give them proper health care if these women decide to undergo the abortion process. It is good to know that the government is now addressing this type of issue with no regards to the stand of the church. However, government should really do intensive research to find what would be the best thing to do in addressing issues like this one. Their purpose should be the welfare of the people and not the other way around. The society is interested to how the government handle these types of issues because the society is the one who will be most affected by it. It is not enough for the society just to have an interest in these issues. They should also evaluate these laws and policies if these laws are really promoting the welfare of the society.
All State and National Laws are dynamic which means that they change through the years. This is to cope up to the changes that happened from the previous time to the present time. The government should be aware of the changes that occur through time and should know how to address the changes as well as the modern issues in the state. All laws should be for the welfare of the people and not for the personal interests of the people in the government.
Works Cited
Find Law. Texas Abortion Laws . 25 November 2014 <http://statelaws.findlaw.com/texas-law/texas-abortion-laws.html>.
Jones, RK. Characteristics of U.S. Abortion Patients. New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2008.
Wolf, Richard. "Supreme Court eases impact of Texas abortion law." USA Today 2014 October 2014.
Texas Laws 1854, c. 49, § 1, set forth in 3 H. Gammel, Laws of Texas 1502 (1898)
