Her Body—Her Choice

Marc Martinez, Kiara Jones, Sal Espinoza

Professor Metzger

ENGL 1302

April 16, 2015

            In recent years, a large controversial topic has been the subject on abortion. In 2012, an article was released discussing this on-going debate. The article was titled, “To what extent should women be allowed access to abortion in the United Sates?” Although the rates on abortion have gone down over the past few years, the argument on whether or not abortion should remain legal is still afloat. The groups of people that believe women should have the right to do what they wish with their bodies have been named “pro-choice”. In contrast, those who see abortion as murder have been labeled “pro-life”.

            Supporters of abortion argue, “If abortions were illegal, women seeking to terminate their pregnancies would be forced to resort to unsafe and dangerous underground procedures” (Issues & Controversies). This is a very plausible prediction. Abortion, if were to become illegal, could be placed on the same level as drugs such as heroine, meth, or cocaine—once it become illegal, the measures people take to get what they want become dangerous and hazardous.

            On the other end of views, opponents—those against abortion rights—argue that, “Even if a fetus was conceived by a rape, terminating a pregnancy amounts to killing an innocent child” (Issues & Controversies). Though it may be considered “murder”, is it really these peoples’ choice in the matter—or the mother’s?

            A large focal point of this constant debate is whether the fetus is to be considered an actual human being. In other words, whether or not the fetus is independent from the woman it is developing from and therefore does it deserve what people call “basic human rights”. Obviously, yes, the cells in which this fetus is developing from are living. But at what point does this fetus become its own person? At least, that is what many are arguing.

            One fact that people on the “pro-life” side we believe may be overlooking, is that the mother is a living human being and does, in fact, have rights. One of those rights should be the choice in what she does with her own body. It should not be anyone else’s opinion that matters. Especially if the woman seeking an abortion was subject to rape.

Who is society to tell her that she must now carry that child to full term?

Who is society to shun her if she is not mentally capable of delivering that child?

Who is society to judge her if she uses her right of choice?

Also, when a man decides it is his job to make sure women have no say in terminating their pregnancies . . . where does he believe he has that right? Men should hardly think they have a say in what happens in a woman’s body, especially considering they will not be the ones carrying the child or putting their life at risk to birth it.

We, as Americans, have made it very clear that our country offers the power of making our own decisions. When looking at abortion, there is hardly a black or white answer—but many shades of gray, and our gender equality group believes that that has to be taken into consideration very heavily.

It is understandable how many may view this as “cold blooded murder”, but it is also understandable on how emotionally harming carrying a product of rape inside one’s body for nine months can be as equally traumatizing. It should be up to the woman if she will muster up the strength to carry the child of her rapist to full term, or terminate it.

Another question to ask is: what if the woman is not physically healthy to carry the child? What if the birth of the child will not only kill it, but her as well? Should the mother have the choice to terminate the baby—or should America send two innocent people to their graves?

To wrap things up, our group believes that women should not be punished for having the capability of becoming pregnant. When a man forces himself on her and she has no say in whether she wants that child, we are, in a sense, punishing her for the fact she is a woman that has the correct biological parts to become pregnant and carry another human being inside of her. There also some ways to settle a part of this abortion issue, and those include: allowing a woman to receive an abortion only before so many weeks and if there is evidence of rape or life-threatening aspects of the pregnancy/birth in the foreseeable future. Regardless, those are just suggestions and once again, it is not America’s choice—especially a man’s choice—but the woman’s.  

Citations:

“Abortion.” Issues & Controversies. Infobase Learning, 23 July 2012. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.<http://proxy.nvc.alamo.edu:2693/recordurl.aspx?wid=95142&ID=2489>.