Definition of Key Concepts
Abortion can be defined as the intentional termination of a pregnancy, which occurs within the first 28 weeks of pregnancy. This process can be dangerous when performed on a patient who is past 28 weeks. Abortion bans are the attempt to restrict the rights of women to procure an abortion when needed ((Räsänen et al., 2022). These restrictions have become more pronounced upon the Supreme Court verdict of 2022 (Räsänen et al., 2022). Various states in the United States have made abortion legal in their jurisdictions.
History of Laws/Cases on Abortion
One of the most important cases in the United States is Roe v. Wade. This is because it protected the rights of women to procure an abortion across the country. The law was, however, reversed by the Supreme Court in 2022. The court found that abortion rights are not fundamental rights which reversed the earlier decision in Roe v. Wade.
Ethical Controversies
Arguments for the ban on abortion focus on the moral aspects by comparing abortion to murder and indicating that life starts at pre-conception. Another reason is that legal abortions can result in people viewing life as disposable (Räsänen et al., 2022). On the other hand, arguments against the abortion ban focus on the bodily autonomy of women and the safety of the procedure.
Socioeconomic Implications
Abortion bans, even though well-intentioned, affect women, communities, and families significantly. This is because prohibition dictates the conditions under which women will get children and when they will participate in the labor force. Abortion bans also enhance the poverty levels for families because it increases the number of children. Minority communities are greatly impacted because these communities are at a lower economic level (Foster, 2022). Women need to make their own decisions regarding whether to keep a pregnancy.
Alternative Systems for Women
Alternative systems to abortion require states and governments to provide effective policies that govern these alternatives. One of the options is to allow another family to raise the child. Parents can go for an open adoption, where they remain in contact, or a close adoption, where there is no contact (Oberman, 2022). Another alternative is legal guardianship, which involves placing the child with another family and legally allowing them to raise the child. Parents can also decide to co-parent to reduce the burden on one parent. The most significant alternative is making contraceptives available to all women.
Groups Most Affected by Abortion ban
The minority communities (Latinx, Blacks, and Hispanics) will be significantly affected because of their limited access to reproductive healthcare. The abortion ban has enhanced the disparity that exists for minorities in accessing health care (Foster, 2022). Native American women are also likely to suffer violence because public health insurance cannot be used to pay for abortions. Low-income women who cannot afford private health insurance will also be affected.
Effect on the Socioeconomic Outcomes of Unaborted Children
Children born by mothers who were denied abortions grow up in a family with little or no love. This affects their ability to achieve specific developmental milestones. Unaborted children are also likely to experience economic hardships because of a lack of sufficient education (Foster, 2022). These children may grow to become criminals because of no guidance from their parents. Additionally, lack of education means that when they become adults they will struggle to get job opportunities.
Responsibilities of States, Cities, and Governments
States, governments, and cities have a responsibility to play when it comes to children born due to the abortion ban. The government has to ensure that the Department of Social Services is well-funded to ensure that options such as legal guardianship and adoption are available to minority communities (Oberman, 2022). Cities have the capability of meeting the nutritional needs of children who attend schools.
Reflection
Researching abortion bans has been an interesting endeavor, which has left me well-informed about the topic. The issue has been widely covered by scholars because of the impact it has on women’s rights. The arguments for and against the abortion ban have been informative. I am confident that I am well-versed in the topic. However, the different opinions that are presented by people may be confusing to readers. This is because these ideas are offered as effective, which may affect the perception of an individual reading the text.
References
Foster, D. G. (2022). New Abortion Bans Will Increase Existing Health and Economic Disparities. American Journal of Public Health, 112(9), 1276-1277. Web.
Oberman M. (2022). What will and won’t happen when abortion is banned. Journal Of Law and the Biosciences, 9(1), lsac011. Web.
Räsänen, J., Gothreau, C., & Lippert-Rasmussen, K. (2022). Does overruling Roe discriminate against women (of color)?. Journal of Medical Ethics, jme-2022-108504. Web.