Pro-Choice is the Right Choice

  Abortion is one of the most intimate, political and social controversies that twists popular culture and ultimately has the country divided. Abortion is a question of morality and decision making, and to some, that does not involve the legal system or government I stand with the pro-choice movement; moreover, I argue that justice  demands that the government nor society have any in the women's decision to terminate a pregnancy and I do not believe the arguments provided by pro-life adovcates is legitimate or justified in the slightest.

USING A LIBERTARIAN VIEW TO JUSTIFY PRO-CHOICE

In my english class, we have studied many conceptions of justice and I believe the conception presented by Robert Nozick completely supports and substantiates my pro-choice adovacy.  I hold that he argues for individual rights and demands that it is not permissble for the state or government to use coercive power to enforce societys' collective morality. The woman is entitled to her reproductive rights and choice and this is a right that should be kept sacred. It is a question of her morality and her decision. Nozick demands no moralist legislation or no paternalist legislation. In simple terms, this mean government stay out and mind your business!

FETUS:PERSON ENTITLED TO RIGHTS?

The major and most controvesial debate regarding abortion is whether or not the fetus is deemed human and alive at contraception or entitled to personhood rights. Pro-life advocates use this to be their overall argument winner. Because they claim the fetus is entitled to the right of life and it is inhumane to kill it,it is their belief the act of abortion is murder and ultimately should be punishable and made illegal under the law. Moreover in their opinion, abortion disregards the virtue of the human life. In their opinion science “proves” that human life begins with contraception and the Constitution, the Fifth Amendment, entrusts that “No person shall…be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” Since murder and the act of taking another's life is punishable under the law,why is abortion any different? It is this central debate of whether or not the human embryo is alive or not,furthermore every scientist or physician has a different answer. HOWEVER,in spite of this, my fellow pro-life supporters ,there has been no national advetisement or irrefutable evidence or what have you that proves that the fetus is indeed alive at contraception. I believe this argument is extremely vague and has no actually legitimacy. In addition, read this article that further supports the ambiguity of the pro-life argument involving the fetus. I also recognize that pro life advocates can make the same claim, because the fetus has not been deemed not alive at contraception, it is not inhumane to kill it(this would be the counter argument to mine). It is the simple ambiguity and vagueness that makes the argument so contradicting and provides no proof of anything at all. 

RELIGION AS AN ARGUMENT?

Some pro-life advocates claim that religion is another substantial claim for abortion being illegal. They claim that abortion is sinful and does not coincide with God's law. Well America was founded with the separation of church and state,but somehow religion has snuck its way into every single social and political reform. Religious ideology is no foundation for any law. And that argument goes out of the window.

WHY ABORTION IS NECESSARY

The pro-life movement ignores the cases where abortion is not necessarily a decision of terminating a pregnancy but a life or death decision. While researching I came across the pro choice America website and I found many testimonials and stories regarding women's decisions to terminate their pregnancies. After reading countless stories, it only solidified in my mind that the government and society should not be involved in abortion.

The Supreme Court legalized abortion in 1973 with its decision in Roe v. Wade. What did women do before then? Rosalyn Levy Jonas, a pro-choice leader and chair of NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation's board of directors, shares her story.[1]

KATHY, 37

At one point in time, I was very pro-life and couldn't imagine who would ever get an abortion. Then came the day that I learned I was pregnant. I didn't choose to become pregnant—I had been raped. I struggled deciding what was right for me. Ultimately, I chose to abort. It was during those weeks that I decided pro-choice was the way to go. People can preach what they want; until you are actually in a situation, you will never understand. I do not regret my choice and will fight to keep choice legal. [2]

MARIA, 27

I've never needed an abortion, but if I were to become pregnant I would be forced to choose between having an abortion to survive, or dying with my unborn fetus. I have a health issue that makes it impossible for me to carry a pregnancy to term. Because of this, I use multiple forms of birth control and I'm always very careful when I'm with my partner, but I harbor a constant fear that someday I will have to make this choice—and if that time comes, will it be my choice to make?[3]

KATIE, 28

This story is about my great grandma Josephine and why I am pro choice. I have always been pro choice and believe what we choose to do with our bodies is nobody else’s concern. But the story of my grandma Jo cuts to the heart of why abortion must be kept safe and legal. My grandma became pregnant in 1948 with her second pregnancy. 12 weeks into the pregnancy she became very ill and went to the doctor. He explained her fetus had died and was rotting inside her causing mass infection. He told her it was illegal to treat this condition and she would soon face death. Shocked and terrified she left the office. A nurse followed her out and handed her a slip of paper with no name just a number. The nurse said, "I did not give you this." Grandma went home and called the number. A man answered an only said "Give me an address I will be there at midnight." Midnight arrived and a man came carrying a medical bag and a bucket. He told her to lie on her dining room table and open her legs. He performed the procedure right there. Four years later my grandfather was born. I would not be here today if it were not for a nurse with a slip of paper and an unknown man. He never charged my grandma a cent. But we owe him everything. Protect Roe v. Wade!!! [4]

These are only a few of hundreds of stories from women who had to make the decision to have an abortion not because they do not want the child, it is because of rape, or ectopic pregnancies, or complications with health or the fetus. A lot of these circumstances that call for abortion would result in death if that option were not available. Moreover there are children who are born from unwanted pregnancies but grow up in orphanages. The point I am getting at is that women never know what they would do unless they are put in these extenuating circumstances. Once one encounters certain stories and certain circumstances, one's outlook could change. This is the danger of the single story. Pro-life advocates preach about saving the lives of the unborn child. But I doubt that any of these women have experienced medical complications that could cause harm to them or their baby if they were to carry out a pregnancy. You never know what you would do unless actually put in this situation(check out this blog for more information)

RAISE AWARENESS:PROTECT ROE V.WADE
Obviously, I am sure after reading this blog that many pro-life advocates will disregard every word I typed and discredit every argument. In addition, I am sure they will not miraculously convert so to speak to pro-choice. However, with this post, I aim to raise awareness of what Roe vs. Wade entailed and what is called for when it was originally established. Roe vs Wade extended a woman's decision to have an abortion, focusing on protecting prenatal life and protecting women's health. Moreover,it does not allow state and federal legislations to put restrictions on abortion. Pro-life advocates and those who object abortion should realize that religion, laws, "persons", and misplaced moral outrage do not belong in the uterus. It is the women's choice, that's why pro choice is the right choice.

[1]http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/womens-voices/womens-stories/rosalyn.html

[2]http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/womens-voices/womens-stories/kathy-37.html

[3]http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/womens-voices/womens-stories/maria-27.html

[4]http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/womens-voices/womens-stories/katie-28.html