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Reproductive Rights, Bodily Autonomy, and Legal Abortion in Post-Roe America Essay

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Introduction

Human existence’s beginning is a passionately debated issue globally. Those who think human existence begins at conception may argue that a fertilized egg or embryo should be protected as a human being. Those who feel a fetus is a part of the mother’s body may say that a woman should have control over her body and health and make pregnancy decisions without government or third-party intrusion.

Reproductive rights and bodily autonomy advocates believe women should be able to terminate pregnancies. This idea holds that women should be free to make health and body decisions without government intrusion. They argue that denying access to safe, legal abortion services violates women’s rights. Abortion’s physical and psychological consequences on women are debated.

Others say that abortion’s risks are low and that most women who have abortions do not have physical or psychological issues. Complications during the procedure, such as infection, bleeding, or organ damage, are possible (Garrison-Desany et al., 2021). Some abortion women feel sorrow, grief, or regret, while others feel relief or empowerment.

Abortion as a birth control approach is controversial. Abortion as contraception is considered reckless and unethical by some since it takes life without justification. They think frequent abortionists are not accountable. Abortion advocates say it is crucial to reproductive healthcare because it lets women choose their fertility and future.

Laws banning abortion or overturning Roe v. Wade have been hotly debated and litigated in numerous nations, including the US. These laws may be necessary to promote a culture of life and safeguard the unborn. Opponents say these restrictions violate women’s rights and health. They may argue that abortion regulations discriminate against low-income and minority women, who may face severe barriers to safe and legal abortion services (Gomez et al., 2018). Women should have an abortion right because they can freely make decisions concerning their bodies and reproductive health.

The Overturning of Roe v. Wade

Restricting reproductive rights might reduce contraceptive access. Contraception helps people plan their families and regulate their fertility. Government, commercial groups, and employers may limit contraception if reproductive rights are further constrained. This might make contraception less accessible or affordable, making family planning and preventing unplanned births harder.

The scenario of hindering reproductive rights could have significant consequences for access to fertility treatments, often used by individuals and couples to overcome infertility and build families. Restrictions on reproductive rights could result in limited availability or affordability of fertility treatments, making it more difficult for individuals and couples to access the care they need (Butler et al., 2021). This could be particularly problematic for those facing barriers to accessing healthcare services, such as low-income individuals or those living in rural areas.

Legal challenges to state abortion laws might result in a patchwork of laws across the country, with some states allowing abortion and others criminalizing it. This may confuse reproductive healthcare seekers, providers, and policymakers. Women may have to travel great distances or use dangerous and illegal abortion providers in states that prohibit or ban abortion (Butler et al., 2021). Low-income and rural residents may have trouble receiving healthcare.

The Role of Government

Legal and safe abortion services were needed after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Women may make educated reproductive health decisions and seek medical treatment when abortion is legal and accessible. This ensures that the surgery is safe and that women can access services and assistance before and after. Abortion restrictions can impair women’s emotional and physical health (Gomez et al., 2018). Without abortion services, women may have to undertake dangerous and potentially life-threatening techniques to end a pregnancy.

Restricting abortion might worsen stress, anxiety, and other mental health difficulties. It is important to remember that every abortion is different and that some women may suffer physical or mental health issues afterward. Legal abortions are safer than illegal ones, allowing women to make educated health decisions.

Women may be forced to adopt dangerous and perhaps lethal abortion techniques if abortion is banned or unavailable. This can endanger their physical, mental, and life. Legal, medical abortions are safe (Gomez et al., 2018). They enable women to make educated reproductive health decisions and receive the appropriate treatment and support to preserve their physical and emotional health.

Society Benefits from the Promotion of Women’s Right to Abortion

US abortion rights were established by Roe v. Wade in 1973. Texas legislation criminalized abortion unless it saved the mother’s life. The Supreme Court found this legislation unlawful because the Fourteenth Amendment protects a woman’s right to abortion (Paltrow, 2013). Women’s health and safety would be threatened if abortion laws were abolished or severely limited.

Women may use hazardous and deadly abortion procedures if safe and legal abortion is unavailable. This may entail self-induced abortion, unlicensed practitioners, or long-distance abortion treatment (Lopex, 2022). These methods can cause infection, bleeding, and death.

Abortion restrictions can delay care, increasing the risk of complications and making the surgery harder and more expensive. Women’s mental health may also suffer. Maternal morbidity and mortality can rise when safe and legal abortion is unavailable, especially for low-income and ethnic minority women. These communities may face more hurdles to excellent treatment and have more pregnancy and delivery difficulties (Rye & Underhill, 2020). Studies show that limiting abortion access increases maternal mortality and pregnancy and delivery problems.

A Choice Concerning Women’s Reproductive Rights

The government must protect children. Abortion is a complicated subject encompassing individual rights, healthcare, and social justice. The early fetus cannot live outside the womb since it is not fully developed. This raises questions about life’s beginning and the government’s power to intervene with a woman’s body and pregnancy. Respecting a person’s religious convictions is essential, but so is acknowledging that not all women share the same abortion beliefs (Agbemenu et al., 2021). Women should have body autonomy regardless of religion. Abortion concerns public health, individual freedom, and religion.

Abortion-needing women must have safe, legal, and medical abortion services. Unsafe and illegal abortions, often done by inexperienced people in unsanitary settings, can cause life-threatening complications or death (Ghiasvand et al., 2023). Abortion risks can be significantly reduced with medical aid, including counseling and safe surgical methods.

Women should be free to choose abortion whether others agree; each person’s principles, beliefs, and morality must be cherished and protected. Abortion is a deeply personal and complicated choice that should be made by the woman and her healthcare practitioner without legal or moral judgment (Ghiasvand et al., 2023). Women need safe, legal abortion and reproductive healthcare to make educated decisions about their bodies and lives.

Conclusion

Women can make reproductive health and body decisions. Denying safe and legal abortion harms women’s autonomy. Women may risk their lives to end a pregnancy if abortion is illegal. Legalizing and regulating abortion reduces unsafe abortions and improves women’s health.

Safe, legal abortion lets women regulate their reproduction, which has social and economic benefits. It lets women study, work, and support their families. Legal abortion access can reduce unplanned pregnancies, improve women’s economic and social status, and avoid disadvantaged births.

Allowing women to make reproductive health decisions empowers them to make academic life and future decisions, improving health and well-being. Reproductive rights must prioritize women’s health and freedom. Allowing women to make healthcare and body decisions is essential for their physical, mental, and emotional wellness. It promotes gender equality and human rights.

Denying women safety and legal abortion services can have severe consequences. Safe and legal abortion access reduces maternal morbidity and death. Women may use dangerous and illegal abortion procedures if they cannot obtain safe and legal services. By providing safe and legal abortion services, the government can preserve women’s health and well-being.

References

Agbemenu, K., Banke-Thomas, A., Ely, G., & Johnson-Agbakwu, C. (2021). Avoiding obstetrical interventions among US-based Somali migrant women: a qualitative study. Ethnicity & health, 26(7), 1082–1097. Web.

Butler, M. G., Walker, M., Pablo, L. A., & Bartels, S. A. (2021). . BMC Women’s Health, 21(1), 309. Web.

Garrison-Desany, H.M., Wilson, E., Munos, M., Sawadogo-Lewis, T., Maïga, A., Ako, O., Mkuwa, S., Hobbs, A. J., & Morgan, J. (2021). . BMC Public Health 21(909). Web.

Ghiasvand, M., Nahidi, F., Mobarakabadi, S. S., & Majd, H. A. (2023). Iranian women’s experiences of the episiotomy consent process: a qualitative study. British Journal of Midwifery, 31(2), 90-98. Web.

Gomez, A. M., Mann, E. S., &Torrez, V. (2018). ‘It would have control over me instead of me having control’: Intrauterine devices and the meaning of reproductive freedom. Critical Public Health, 28(2), 191-200. Web.

Lopex, K. J. (2022). A post-Roe field hospital. We need to lead a revolution of mercy and truth. America. The Jesuit Review.

Paltrow. L. M. (2013). . Am J Public Health, 103, 17–21. Web.

Rye, B.J., Underhill, A. (2020). Pro-choice and po-life are not enough: An investigation of abortion attitudes as a function of abortion prototypes. Sexuality & Culture 24, 1829–1851. Web.

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IvyPanda. (2025, July 31). Reproductive Rights, Bodily Autonomy, and Legal Abortion in Post-Roe America. https://ivypanda.com/essays/reproductive-rights-bodily-autonomy-and-legal-abortion-in-post-roe-america/

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"Reproductive Rights, Bodily Autonomy, and Legal Abortion in Post-Roe America." IvyPanda, 31 July 2025, ivypanda.com/essays/reproductive-rights-bodily-autonomy-and-legal-abortion-in-post-roe-america/.

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IvyPanda. (2025) 'Reproductive Rights, Bodily Autonomy, and Legal Abortion in Post-Roe America'. 31 July.

References

IvyPanda. 2025. "Reproductive Rights, Bodily Autonomy, and Legal Abortion in Post-Roe America." July 31, 2025. https://ivypanda.com/essays/reproductive-rights-bodily-autonomy-and-legal-abortion-in-post-roe-america/.

1. IvyPanda. "Reproductive Rights, Bodily Autonomy, and Legal Abortion in Post-Roe America." July 31, 2025. https://ivypanda.com/essays/reproductive-rights-bodily-autonomy-and-legal-abortion-in-post-roe-america/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "Reproductive Rights, Bodily Autonomy, and Legal Abortion in Post-Roe America." July 31, 2025. https://ivypanda.com/essays/reproductive-rights-bodily-autonomy-and-legal-abortion-in-post-roe-america/.

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