Abortion, a Controversial Issue Essay Example

Abortion has always been a controversial topic, from the court case Roe v. Wade to the view points of pro-life and pro-choice supporters; controversy has stemmed from the actual procedure, the reasons for abortion, and the after effects. Abortion was legalized because of the court case Roe v. Wade which originated in Austin, Texas (Tompkins prologue). A young woman by the name of Norma McCorvey, also known as Jane Roe, was unmarried and she lived in poverty (Tompkins 19). She found out she was pregnant and decided that she wanted an abortion. Two lawyers by the name of Sarah and Linda asked Norma if she would be their plaintiff for a test case to legalize abortion in Texas. Norma told the court that she had been raped, this was a false statement. She had thought this would give her an advantage and the court would agree to give her the abortion. The case proceeded for three years and abortion was made legal in the United States in 1973. This court case made abortion legal in the first three months of pregnancy, but in the companion court case Doe v. Bolton, it was made legal up until the last trimester. In a Roe v. Wade documentary with Norma McCorvey today, she speaks of her experiences after the case was passed. She expressed feelings of guilt because she felt she made the wrong decision (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Kz-s3K7tfA). There are many reasons why a woman chooses to have an abortion. One reason that is given is that the woman has an unwillingness to become a single mother. A second reason why someone would choose to have an abortion is because they are financially unstable. Fifty-seven percent of women who want abortions are economically disadvantaged. Some women say that their baby will have a negative impact on their life. Many more reasons are given such as not wanting anymore children, not ready to become a mother, their spouse wants them to have an abortion, they have complications with their own health, or their parents want them to have