Give a Voice to Women: Pro-choice View on Abortion

Introduction

Simply put, abortion is the termination of pregnancy, either voluntarily or involuntarily. But behind this cold and brief definition, there is much more to be analyzed, from the context in which it happens, to its reasons, if there is danger to the mother or the fetus, or if it is a personal and conscious decision of the woman who undergoes the procedure. The issue of abortion is not just a medical or legal matter but also deeply intertwined with ethical, moral, and social dimensions.

Give a Voice to Women: Pro-choice View on Abortion

Abortion has always been a controversial issue and a matter of debate between pro-life, those who are against its legalization, and pro-choice, those who seek decriminalization in countries where the legal system is against it. Another reason why the discussion is heated is the religious component that devotees bring to the table, often invalidating the personal convictions of those who do not subscribe to their doctrine and who seek respect for their ideas and positions. What abortion shows is the impossibility of maintaining an open and respectful dialogue, because for both parties, the position of the other is inadequate, making a compromise seem unreachable.

Legal and Ethical Perspectives

Despite the difficulties, a kind of midpoint has been achieved in some countries where abortion is legal under specific circumstances, and only in those cases. For those who are in favor of abortion, this step is insufficient, as it flatly eliminates the possibility for women to choose whether or not to carry out a pregnancy that cannot be interrupted because it does not meet the state's requirements (e.g., disease affecting the fetus or the mother, rape). For those who are against it, it remains an inconceivable concession, as they believe that regardless of the conditions of pregnancy, the mother, or the fetus, a pregnancy should be carried to term.

Pro-choice Arguments

The pro-choice argument most used to defend the practice of abortion asserts that women have the absolute right to make decisions regarding their own bodies. The freedom of each person is inviolable, and therefore, if a woman does not wish to have a child even if she is already pregnant, the state should guarantee that right and provide the necessary care to carry out the abortion. It is necessary to consider scenarios such as a mother of three children who is the head of the household and cannot financially support another child; or a woman in an abusive and violent relationship who does not want to bring a child into such an environment; or someone too young to face the challenges of motherhood without the necessary economic infrastructure or emotional support. All these cases are valid but are not recognized by the laws of many countries.

Socio-Economic Considerations

On the other hand, we must consider the social conditions of a given country in a global way and not focus solely on individual cases. Developing countries, where there are billions of people trapped in cycles of poverty and ignorance, are often the most conducive to unwanted pregnancies. In these same countries, there are more privileged classes where women have access to health services and economic infrastructure to manage a pregnancy, but these are isolated cases. We must strive for global well-being and address the needs of the poorest, rather than merely satisfying the desires of the richest and most influential.

Health and Safety Concerns

Abortions performed in illegal clinics and clandestine hospitals are the ones that cause the most deaths among women of childbearing age. Allowing abortion would not only respect each woman's freedom to make decisions about her body but also provide society with a respectful health system that prioritizes women's welfare.

Ontological and Moral Dimensions

Another argument from pro-choice supporters posits that the fertilized embryo, in the first stage of pregnancy, does not yet constitute a human being but rather a set of cells. Thus, deciding to terminate the pregnancy is not, in reality, ending the life of a person. Here the conversation reaches ontological levels, as it debates when life begins and when a being becomes human. Some countries allow abortion before 12 weeks of gestation, while others permit it until more advanced stages.

Pro-life Perspectives

On the other side, those who oppose abortion, known as pro-life, argue that the principle of life is more important than a woman's right to make decisions about her body, as it involves protecting the life of a helpless being. This discussion revisits the question of when the fetus becomes a human being and, importantly, highlights that women's rights are often governed by state laws.

Gender Equality and State Intervention

We must ask ourselves why women's rights, particularly this very intimate and significant one, are in the hands of the state. Do men have to seek permission to make autonomous decisions regarding their bodies? When has a man been seen petitioning the state to undergo a vasectomy, a procedure that could also be considered life-altering? The standards with which the needs of men and women are treated are different and morally elusive.

Conclusion

To take a position on abortion, one must first be informed. Abortion will continue to be an issue that generates confrontations within society, as it creates a division between its detractors and defenders. However, we must also consider whether it is appropriate in this day and age to scrutinize women's private lives, their options, preferences, and dreams. Lawmakers should not have the authority to decide what women should do regarding a pregnancy, as every potential child that comes into the world reflects the consequences of their parents' choices.

If a mother considers that she does not want to bring a child into the world for any reason, we must listen to her and provide the opportunity for this painful and emotional process to occur in a respectful environment where she feels her voice matters. Likewise, we must listen to the mother who, despite medical diagnoses, wants to continue a pregnancy considered risky. The key point of the discussion in this essay is to finally give a voice to women.

References

Please refer to the following sources for further reading and validation of the points discussed in this essay:

• Planned Parenthood. (2022). Abortion: Your Questions Answered. Retrieved from https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/abortion
• Guttmacher Institute. (2021). State Facts About Abortion. Retrieved from https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/state-facts-about-abortion
• Jones, R. K., & Jerman, J. (2017). Population Group Abortion Rates and Lifetime Incidence of Abortion: United States, 2008–2014. American Journal of Public Health, 107(12), 1904–1909.