A timely article —

Here’s a timely article I ran across this afternoon.

Americans and Abortion: An Overview

Sept. 29, 2008

More than 35 years after the U.S. Supreme Court's historic Roe v. Wade(1973) decision granted a woman the constitutional right to terminate her pregnancy, abortion remains a controversial issue. Indeed, although the frequency of abortions in the U.S. has dropped to its lowest point since 1974, the debate over abortion continues to play a prominent role in state and federal politics.

Although Roe prohibited states from banning abortion until late in a woman's pregnancy, subsequent high court rulings allowed states more power to regulate the procedure. Today, there is an uneven patchwork of abortion laws around the country. For example, while 17 states provide public funding for all or most abortions that are deemed medically necessary, 28 states require doctors to provide a woman with some form of counseling about the risks of abortion and 24 states oblige a woman to complete a waiting period before having an abortion.

More on Abortion

Overview: Americans and Abortion

Support for Abortion Slips

A History of Key Abortion Rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court

Abortion Q&As

J. Daniel Mindling: An Argument Against Abortion Rights

Carlton Veazey: An Argument for Abortion Rights

Additional Resources

Abortion Laws Around the World

Religious Groups' Official Positions on Abortion

Candidate Comparison: Abortion

Go to the abortion resource page

More: Research, news, websites

In the realm of public opinion, Americans remain divided on legalized abortion, with 47% expressing support for legalized abortion and 44% expressing opposition, according to two major surveys conducted in 2009. (SeeSupport for Abortion Slips.) Furthermore, many groups - from women's rights organizations to socially conservative religious groups - have shown little appetite for compromise. Abortion rights opponents, or "pro-life" advocates, argue that life begins at conception and consider abortion tantamount to homicide. (SeeFundamental Dignity at Every Stage of Life: An Argument Against Abortion Rights Featuring the Rev. J. Daniel Mindling.) Abortion rights supporters, or "pro-choice" advocates, maintain that women have an absolute right to decide what happens to their bodies - sometimes without any restrictions. (See Pro-Choice Does Not Mean Pro-Abortion: An Argument for Abortion Rights Featuring the Rev. Carlton Veazey.)

The variety in opinion on the issue is reflected in the diverse views of religious groups. For example, the Roman Catholic Church opposes abortion under any circumstances, while traditional Jewish teachings sanction abortion as a means of safeguarding the life and well-being of the mother. Other groups stop short of condemning the procedure and ask believers to consider religious teachings and personal faith in deciding whether to have an abortion. (See Religious Groups' Official Positions on Abortion.)

The seeds of today's abortion debate were sown long before the Supreme Court's decision inRoe v. Wade. In colonial times, abortion before "quickening" - the phrase then used to describe the first perceptible fetal movement - was considered a personal matter and was not restricted by law. But in the mid-1800s several states began outlawing the procedure for religious and moral reasons. By the early 20th century almost all states had bans making it a criminal offense to perform or attempt an abortion at any point during pregnancy, although some states continued to allow the procedure when it was necessary to save a woman's life.

But over the next few decades there was a concerted push for greater political and sexual freedom for women. Momentum for changes in anti-abortion laws reached a peak during the women's rights movement of the 1960s. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, 13 states permitted abortion in cases in which a woman's health was at risk, in cases of rape or incest, or in cases in which the fetus suffered from a severe defect. Four states - Alaska, Hawaii, New York and Washington - went further, allowing a woman to receive an abortion whenever she and her doctor decided it was needed.

Most states, however, continued to allow the procedure only in life-threatening situations. As a result, many women seeking abortions either traveled to countries where the procedure was legal or resorted to illegal, self-induced - and sometimes deadly - methods of terminating their pregnancies. (See Abortion Laws Around the World.)

In 1973, the legal landscape changed dramatically when the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Roe v. Wade. By giving a woman the constitutional right to an abortion, the justices overturned all state laws prohibiting the procedure and limited state regulation to the period late in a pregnancy when a fetus can survive outside the womb. Even then, the court reasoned, states must make an exception when a doctor deemed an abortion necessary to protect the mother's life or health.

But far from quelling the abortion debate, the Roe decision fueled a political and social firestorm that is still raging. Indeed, in the years following Roe, states repeatedly tested the decision's boundaries by passing laws that could make it difficult for some women to have abortions. (SeeStates Probe Limits of Abortion Policy at Stateline.org.) Many of these earlier laws were struck down by lower federal courts or the Supreme Court. But in recent years, the high court has allowed states more power in regulating abortion, including a late-term procedure known as partial-birth abortion or dilation and extraction (D&X). (See A History of Key Abortion Rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court.)

Despite the Supreme Court's 2007 decision to uphold the federal partial-birth abortion ban, experts say that for now, a majority of the current Supreme Court justices remain likely to upholdRoe v. Wade. But if a future court were to overturn Roe, the decision could effectively return the issue to state courts. In that case, abortion would likely remain legal in more socially liberal states of the Northeast and West Coast and would likely be restricted in many of the more socially conservative states of the South and Midwest.

This report was written by Christine Vestal, Staff Writer, Stateline.org.

Photo credit: Corbis

Other Resources

Comments

[Sarah Thullbery]

I think that this article and the links are very helpful in understanding this issue. I really appreciate the civil arguments of the two pastors present. Though I disagree with him, I really like Rev. Mindling, the pro-life advocate. All arguments I've ever heard in favor of pro-life use emotionally charged language and examples. Rev. Mindling uses logical and reasonable arguments to support his position, and I really respect that. However, I disagree with him on a few points. He says that murder is wrong all of the time, so a woman should not have an abortion, even if the pregnancy threatens her life. I don't agree with this statement because we view killing in self-defense as an acceptable and even justifiable. If a pregnancy will threaten the life of a woman, shouldn't she have the right to protect herself?
Also, as Rev. Veazey pointed out, politicians and citizens who are pro-life usually vote against measures that would help single mothers and those who cannot afford to care for more children. This includes healthcare and measures to help those in poverty. Third, the Constitution protects each person's religious freedom. Rev. Veazey states, "Roman Catholic doctrine regards a fertilized egg as a human being. Judiasm holds that life begins with the first breath." To make abortion illegal is forcing the views of certain religious groups on others.
I think that an important aspect of this argument to remember is that pro-choice and pro-abortion are not synonymous. Many who are pro-choice want to reduce abortions. They do not want women to choose to abort a fetus, and think abortions should be extreme cases. However, it is important to recognize the religious and reproductive rights of women.

[Morgan]

I agree with the states that require the women to seek counseling before and after getting the abortion. The woman is taking life. Not only life but their own flesh and blood. It has to be hard on any woman no matter what the circumstances, and she has to live with that for the rest of her life. People are split right down the middle in terms of either pro-life and pro-choice. No wonder this is such a difficult case. I believe that if we do make abortion illegal women will still give themselves abortions therefore causing more harm on themselves and the baby. The ways that women used to try to abort the babies are awful and very dangerous. I just don't know where I stand at this point.

[Julie Jackson]

I do not like how 28 states provide counseling I think every state that has abortion clinics need to provide counseling. I think a lot of the women go in, in shock and do not realize what they are really doing. The part where it says that the fetus can survive out the womb does not make sense to me. The baby cannot survive out of the womb on its own. It still needs its mother as much as it did in the womb. I feel as people are just thinking abortion is ok and not a big deal. I know that the abortions have to affect these women. There is no way someone could have an innocent little human in their body and not feel bad for killing it. If they don't that is sick. The main thing is that some women decide to abort their babies and they will be the ones who have to live with that decision the rest of their lives.

[Larz]

I agree with Morgan, I still don't know where I stand at this point. It is such a hard topic, and i can't fathom having to go through something like this. Having to choose to abort a growing human in you. There are certain circumstances where I believe it is "okay" to do this, if it is really needed. But it is a very thin line between when is it okay or not. So how can you tell some people it is okay and they can be allowed to do it, while it isn't okay for someone else. I'm not saying that I support it abortion, but like Morgan said if we make abortion illegal women will still do it and in way way more dangerous way that could harm them why worse than if it was done by a doctor. On a different note I think that it is good that the abortion rate has dropped to its lowest since 1974, hopefully it will continue to drop.

[Brandon]

I do not know where I stand on abortion anymore. I've become confused after watching the video today in class. In the past I thought abortion was okay because your were just killing an egg. After seeing chopped up pieces of a human person my mind has changed. I do not think Roe v Wade should be overturned. Abortions will always happen, but they will become more dangerous and babies will be burn with more birth defects. Its seems to me that the issue is being treated with responsibility. I'm glad they have regulations and some states require certain things from the women. At the end it says something about abortions going back to the state level and seperate states will have their own laws on abortion. I think that is the wrong route to go, every state should go by the same law so there is no confusion and everyone is obeying the same rules. If the law is set state by state people would just go get their abortions in different states. So it wouldn't matter what the law is because they would just be able to go somewhere else and get an abortion.

[mgn]

I feel like Brandon on that after watching the video today my whole view on abortion is not the same. I mean I still feel that a woman has the right to choose on whether she keeps a baby or not. It’s just after watching this video I hope that whenever a woman does decided to have an abortion that she does it on her own terms and not anyone else’s.
This video really makes you think about “what would I do in that situation?” A lot of us probably say to keep the baby. And that’s the thing, when the problem is not physically effected us we shrug our shoulders and say we would do the right thing, but who knows. People panic in stressful situations and do things they thought they never would. Like in the video when the woman had to answer all those questions before the abortion would be performed, she was being analyzed to make sure she wanted to proceed with the procedure. We never really know how we stand on anything in life until we are forced to face it.

[JohnEvans]

I find the argument that make abortion legal would just make women before more dangerous illegal abortions insultingly stupid. By the same logic we should make thievery legal because it will make people steal in safer ways. Yes people will always try to do illegal dangerous things but that doesn't mean we should legalize everything. It ultimately comes down to when you think life begins. I have yet to be shown a difference between a born and unborn child that makes one a human and the other not.

[cdavis17]

I am really on the fence with my decision on abortion. I really don't agree with abortion per say, but I think that the woman should choose because I am not in that particular situation, and I don't know their life, so how am I supposed to tell a woman to have a baby? I honestly don't see how people can yell horrible things at a pregnant woman who apparently is going through her own physical and emotional issues in deciding whether to have the baby or not. I am glad that there is counseling available and screenings before the woman can have the abortion, so it isn't just them freaking out that they are pregnant and getting rid of the baby. I guess I am making the case that I am pro-choice. Not saying that I would ever get one, just saying that if it isn't my body, then it isn't my situation, I mean I won't be the one taking care of that baby.

[quicktype89]

I believe in the woman's right to choose, however I do feel that abortion should be more regulated and restricted in terms of time. I feel that late-term and partial birth abortions are just too late because the fetus is beginning to have life. I believe that the pill, contraception and the morning after pill (plan b) are all necessary too in helping prevent the number of abortions that are conducted. If abortion is going to remain legal then regulation is needed like Brandon mentioned, at the federal level. Counseling should be provided in every state, and each clinic should require to go through the same rigorous questioning as we saw in the Lake of Fire film. We have to remember that not all clinics are like that and if we are going to stand by keeping abortion legal then we must follow through in providing the best care not just physically but emotionally.

[kmcnutt]

Sarah pointed out something that I often think on when this issue arises. The difference between pro-choice and pro-abortion are grandly different. I, for one, am pro-choice, but do not encourage or support the procedure of an abortion. I believe that women should be able to choose what they do. I also believe that when abortions are legal, they are way safer and protect the woman population. As we saw in the video, they ask tough questions, and try to understand where the woman is coming from. A main reason I could not say I am for the banning of abortion is because I am not that woman. As Courtney said, I have no clue what she is going through.
A big thing I have always wondered is the financial side. From what I have learned, abortions are not cheap, but are cheaper than hospital births. This is a major factor for women of low income or poverty status. I fear that even if a mother wants to have her child, would possibly give it to adoption, she could not pay for the birth of it. I could be wrong on this, but it's something I've always wondered. If a woman can not pay for a mid-wife, birthing classes, or a standard doctor, wouldn't having an abortion be her best path?
Even though I would say I am pro-choice, I would love to see abortions cut down to only emergency cases. I think children are one of God's greatest gifts and should be loved and brought up in nurturing homes. I would encourage any women who may be on the fence of a procedure to seriously look at adoption and all of her options. Knowing what options you have is a great thing when pregnant and scared. With all this hype over illegal or legal, I really think we should educate on adoption, foster care, and other systems for pregnant woman.
I don't think most women are so heartless as to have an abortion and not have emotional scaring the rest of her life. It is a huge, thought out decision and the women who go through this should be loved and counseled and helped, not yelled at for being murderers.

[Tyler]

I am not sure I understand the argument that it's okay in "emergency situations". To me, that just says "abortion is wrong, but not really". I am not totally sure where I stand, but I don't think you can be in the middle of this issue.

I think that both sides can agree that abortions aren't good. I don't think there is a such thing as a "pro-abortionist".

I also don't think that this procedure could be considered a medical breakthrough by any means. I also don't see the need. If someone makes adequate planning (medical screening to see if a pregnancy would be harmful) and also makes wise choices with their relationships, many abortions could be avoided.

[David Cook]

There definitely needs to be a higher focus on the education and application of pre-natal care as well as the sexual education of our youth. Both of these things can help to lessen the need for an abortion.

Tyler is right. Neither side truly believes that having an abortion is a good thing, but sometimes it is medically necessary to opt to have one.