Abortion Argumentative
Annie Yondolino
Professor Cruz
Freshman English
9 March 2013
Reproductive Justice "Jane Doe, you have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of your embryo." Is this what we want to hear? According to the recent gallup poll, 44% of us apparently do. Does it matter that she is a happily married forty three year old employed mother of three who was impregnated by a man who raped her at gun point? The answer to this question continues to be a controversial debate long after the U.S. Supreme Court's 7-2 landmark decision on Roe vs. Wade declaring abortion a "fundamental right" in 1973. In the instance of rape based pregnancies, the question of whether abortion is acceptable is highly debated and differs amidst pro-life and pro-choice individuals. While the majority of pregnancies are the result of consensual sex, woman periodically become impregnated as a result of rape. Should a woman who involuntary engaged in sex be forced to carry a child to term as a result? Pro-life advocates say absolutely! They believe that a woman must never terminate her pregnancy, no matter what the circumstance. Whereas pro-choice individuals support a woman's choice to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, especially when a child is conceived against her will. The sanctity of life can compel some people to feel justified in coercing a woman to produce a living constant reminder of an act unfair to both mother and child. According to pro-life supporters aborting a child conceived through rape extends the pattern of violence and victim-hood. Although these people believe rape is a horrific act of violence, they perceive abortion as an equal act of violence that the mother should be morally and legally punished for as well. Because they feel life begins at conception, they insist terminating a pregnancy is murdering a living human being. Pro-life advocates argue that these innocent human beings have the fundamental right to life that must be protected. A common
Professor Cruz
Freshman English
9 March 2013
Reproductive Justice "Jane Doe, you have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of your embryo." Is this what we want to hear? According to the recent gallup poll, 44% of us apparently do. Does it matter that she is a happily married forty three year old employed mother of three who was impregnated by a man who raped her at gun point? The answer to this question continues to be a controversial debate long after the U.S. Supreme Court's 7-2 landmark decision on Roe vs. Wade declaring abortion a "fundamental right" in 1973. In the instance of rape based pregnancies, the question of whether abortion is acceptable is highly debated and differs amidst pro-life and pro-choice individuals. While the majority of pregnancies are the result of consensual sex, woman periodically become impregnated as a result of rape. Should a woman who involuntary engaged in sex be forced to carry a child to term as a result? Pro-life advocates say absolutely! They believe that a woman must never terminate her pregnancy, no matter what the circumstance. Whereas pro-choice individuals support a woman's choice to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, especially when a child is conceived against her will. The sanctity of life can compel some people to feel justified in coercing a woman to produce a living constant reminder of an act unfair to both mother and child. According to pro-life supporters aborting a child conceived through rape extends the pattern of violence and victim-hood. Although these people believe rape is a horrific act of violence, they perceive abortion as an equal act of violence that the mother should be morally and legally punished for as well. Because they feel life begins at conception, they insist terminating a pregnancy is murdering a living human being. Pro-life advocates argue that these innocent human beings have the fundamental right to life that must be protected. A common