Abortion has always been a disputable issue in human society because of the numerous factors associated with this question. Religious beliefs, ethics, dominant values, and policies have influenced communities and impacted their attitude toward the procedure. In the 21st century, the issue remains disputable as some states plan to introduce restrictions linked to the termination of pregnancy or prohibit it because of different ideas. These might include ethical issues and government policies aimed at boosting the birth rate. However, the decision to ban abortions can be viewed as illegal, unethical, and contradicting the values of the 21st century. Every woman has the right to control her body with no restrictions while prohibiting abortions might result in severe harm done to the health and the emergence of multiple ethical issues.
Humanistic values and ethics are often used as the central arguments to prohibit abortions. The opponents of the procedure emphasize that every life is priceless, and pregnancy termination is murder, meaning it should be banned. However, these arguments cannot be considered ethical, disregarding several vital aspects. First, from this perspective, a woman is viewed as a less valuable individual than a would-be baby, which cannot be accepted (Berer 14). Second, her wishes, desires, and plans are disregarded, which contradicts the humanistic values and ideas of a tolerant society. In such a way, the prohibition of abortions might give rise to numerous ethical concerns and make women more vulnerable.
A woman’s health is another factor justifying the importance of abortions and the impossibility of their prohibition. In many cases, a fetus might pose a significant threat to a female’s life, meaning that pregnancy termination is required (Stevenson). Statistics show that banning abortion leads to a 21% increase in pregnancy-related deaths (Stevenson). Moreover, the number of illegal procedures performed in an unsafe environment by unskilled individuals might double (Stevenson). It might also lead to severe complications linked to reproductive health and female sterility (Stevenson). In such a way, the prohibition of abortion is a serious health concern leading to the significant deterioration of the quality of women’s lives.
Finally, the right to control the body is one of the fundamental rights of every human being. It means that a person can choose interventions, treatments, and other procedures affecting the work of his/her body. However, putting a ban on abortions implies that women will be deprived of their basic freedom and right to make decisions about their bodies (Berer 14). It contradicts the ideas of tolerance, democracy, and humanism. From this perspective, females are considered incubators with the only goal of producing new human beings, while their wishes and views are disregarded. It contradicts the ideas of civilized society and cannot be accepted.
Altogether, abortion remains a disputable issue today as there are multiple opinions on it. The recent incentives linked to banning this procedure increased the topicality of the problem. The adherers of complete prohibition view pregnancy termination as an unethical intervention threatening the nation’s future. However, they disregard numerous health concerns emerging because of the ban, the position of females, and their rights to control the body. Every woman has the fundamental right to control her body. At the same time, any restrictions are unethical and dangerous and might precondition the critical deterioration in the quality of people’s lives, which is unacceptable in contemporary society.
Works Cited
Berer, Marge. “Abortion Law and Policy Around the World: In Search of Decriminalization.”Health and Human Rights, vol. 19, no. 1, 2017, pp. 13-27.
Stevenson, Amanda. “Study Shows an Abortion Ban May Lead to a 21% Increase in Pregnancy-Related Deaths.” The University of Colorado Boulder.