Black women and other females of color will be disproportionately affected by the United States Supreme Court’s ruling to invalidate the right to an abortion as guaranteed by the Constitution. Most of these women have historically encountered unaffordable fees and practical challenges while trying to access reproductive healthcare (“Roe v. Wade”). Black women are more likely to reside in states with abortion restrictions than white women, and southern states with the strictest laws would be the hardest hit. For instance, according to recent Census data, Black people make up around 38% of the demographic of Mississippi, relative to about 13% of the entire U.S. population (Wolfe & Meulen 545). In addition, women of color in the U.S. experience abortion rates that are about four times higher than those of white women. These conditions make abortion bans in states like Ohio tremendously affect black women.
Abortion Bans Increases Maternal Mortality Rates
Nationally outlawing abortion would raise the total incidence of pregnancy-related fatalities, especially the mortality rate among black women. These deaths would also account for additional casualties by illegal abortions or failed termination attempts. Since continuing to be pregnant is riskier for a woman than ending it, pregnancy-related mortality will rise if abortion is prohibited. For many factors, such as disproportionate accessibility to opportunities like healthcare, housing, jobs, and education, black women are more inclined to seek abortions (“After Roe”). Since many women do not recognize they are pregnant by six weeks, the six-week abortion prohibition is unreasonable. Therefore, late detection of illnesses in high-risk pregnancies after six weeks could result in the woman’s death.
Six-week Abortion Ban Being a 100% Ban
The Texas legislation that would bar patients from getting an abortion beyond the sixth week of pregnancy was recently affirmed by the Supreme Court. This law is troubling for various reasons, chief among them the fact that it will significantly damage many victims (“How the Supreme Court”). However, it is also flawed biologically. It is questionable whether the legislators participating in pregnancy math are simply uninformed about reproductive biology or understand that it is a covert attempt to outlaw all abortions. However, in practice, the six-week ban restricts access to abortion services to merely four weeks following conception and, in all likelihood, only one week following a person’s potential pregnancy test. The six-week abortion restriction is a terrible law since a woman’s menstrual cycle might vary and take up to five weeks to occur. It can take 5 to 6 weeks for women with irregular periods to detect pregnancy. This gives the six-week abortion restriction the appearance of being a 100% ban.
Domestic Abuse is About Power and Control
At its foundation, domestic violence involves using intimidation and assault to exert control over a partner. Abusers occasionally perceive pregnancy and children as dangerous and try to re-exert power over their partners since childbearing could be a trigger for jealousy and control. Most domestic violence in the United States resulting from pregnancy and choices surrounding pregnancy are increasing due to the Roe reversal. According to Professor Natalie Nanasi, domestic abuse is majorly about power and control instead of anger or the relationship (“How the Roe Reversal”). Nanasi holds this concept because forcing women to get pregnant and carry it is abusing their reproductive rights. Furthermore, this abuse perpetuates power and control and denies the victim any say, thus violating their private right. Therefore, the reversal of Roe could impact domestic violence survivors by increasing the number of cases.
Effects of Overturning of Roe on Social Workers
Even in the social work profession, which is heavily influenced by social justice, abortion is still a very contentious issue. Social workers must inform women about abortion alternatives and fight the stigma associated with it, which has unwarranted, negative impacts on patients and the public. It is challenging for social workers to carry out their responsibilities regarding abortion efficiently in the wake of the Roe decision. Since the law was upheld, social workers are afraid that they will do something wrong and end up in court for encouraging someone to get an abortion (“How the Roe Reversal”). Contradictory regulations exist in states like Oklahoma that have outlawed abortion, making it possible for a social worker to face legal action for offering advice to a woman who wants an abortion.
Roe Decision Worsening Homicide Rates
Women in the United States are more likely to be killed than to pass away from maternal reasons. These killings are associated with a fatal combination of intimate relationship abuse and weapons. Compared to neighboring nations, the United States has a greater rate of domestic partner violence, which is usually tragic and armed. Since influence over a woman’s personal choices frequently serves as a factor in domestic violence, laws that limit women’s rights to reproductive healthcare and abortion put them at further risk (“How the Roe Reversal”). Most people believe that pregnancy-related issues cause deaths; hence, they are unaware of these homicide rates. I always knew of the homicide rates among pregnant women from abusive relationships; however, I was unaware of how high these statistics are. Appropriate measures should be taken to help pregnant women across the country to prevent and minimize these cases.
Works Cited
“After Roe, Abortion Rights Advocates Predicts Worsening Black Maternal Mortality Crisis.” YouTube, uploaded by PBS NewsHour, Web.
“How the Roe Reversal Could Impact Domestic Violence Survivors.” YouTube, uploaded by PBS NewsHour, Web.
“How the Supreme Court Rewrote National Abortion Law.” YouTube, uploaded by PBS NewsHour, Web.
“Roe v. Wade| Homework Help from The Bill of Rights Institute.” YouTube, uploaded by Bill of Rights Institute, Web.
Wolfe, Taida, & Yana Meulen. “Abortion During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Racial Disparities and Barriers to Care in the USA.” Sexuality Research and Social Policy, vol. 19, no. 4, 2022, pp. 541-548.