Abortion Policy Essay -- Rights Birth Pregnancy Papers

Abortion Policy Abortion is one of about six major issues that the public considers when voting (Witwer). It is a complex issue that has been passionately debated for centuries. The various methods used to carry out the procedure range from disassembling the fetus and crushing the skull in order to suck it all out of the woman’s womb to the procedure called RU-486, that gives the woman a pill to prevent her body from giving the fetus the nutrients to stay alive. Also, some consider certain forms of birth control, Norplant, IUD, and emergency contraceptives to be abortions as well. Many people argue about when in the pregnancy abortions should be allowed, if there should be an age limit, if abortion should be allowed only in certain circumstances, if states should decide the legality of it, and if only certain procedures should be allowed. However, the key issue is: should abortion be totally legalized, totally banned, or remain the way it is? Numerous people have a stake in this issue. The issue of abortion affects every woman worldwide as well as men who find themselves involved in a situation related to abortion, and/or men who choose to concern themselves with such an ever-growing issue (Wlezien). Also, this issue affects the fetuses aborted, or permitted to live. There are generally two opposing sides to the issue where most people find themselves: the pro-life side and the pro-choice side. While it is true that men may find themselves involved in a situation related to abortion, the debate over it still remains predominantly female (Wlezien). Surveys, facts, and figures have indicated that the two sides are made up of vastly dissimilar people and their lifestyles (Wlezien). Pro-choice usually consists of young... ...89), pp. 229-230{primary scholarly, print via internet in original, authoritative} Wlezien, Christopher B.; Goggin, Malcolm. â€Å"The Courts, Interest Groups, and Public Opinion about Abortion†. Political Behavior, Vol. 15, No. 4. (Dec., 1993), pp. 381-405. {primary scholarly, print via internet in original, authoritative} â€Å"Unjust Punishment, Forced Contraception, and Poor Treatment of Women by the Courts and Prisons.† NARAL Pro Choice America Foundation. 27 April 1999. 22 March 2004. http://www.naral.org/facts/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=1784. {unrestricted, internet publication, apparently credible} U. S. National Library of Medicine. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. 2002. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002398.htm - 29k - Mar 8, 2004. {primary scholarly, print via internet in original, authoritative}