Abortion

Abortion is not a new topic of debate. In fact, it is one of the most controversial topics in politics. Abortion did not become legal until 1973, after the infamous Roe vs. Wade case. Although it has been legal for about 47 years, there are still politicians and law makers who actively challenge it. In fact, President Trump has been a vocal anti-abortion advocate and has worked hard to ban abortion in several states as well as defunding planned parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the United States. In this post, I will be analyzing the public policy of abortion using a feminist approach.

First, abortion is a health issue that only pertains to women and their bodies. It is an extremely intimate decision that is difficult for any woman to make. It is both physically and emotionally challenging, without the interference of government. There are many different reasons that a woman may choose to get an abortion, which include but are not limited to: health complications for the woman and/or fetus, financial instability, abusive relationships, etc. Whatever the reason may be, it is ultimately a personal decision that a woman should have the right to make for herself and her body.

In response to Alabama’s ban of nearly all abortions in 2019, state representative Rolanda Hollis, introduced a new bill that would require the vasectomy of any man 50+ or if he had 3+ children. This created much controversy between politicians and government officials, which was Hollis’s intent. She wanted to highlight the double standard, which is exactly what happened. Texas senator, Ted Cruz, who has been urging for the 20 week ban of abortion in his state, said that the bill was an “overreach” and did not think that the government should be able to make those decisions for men. This hypocrisy exemplifies the patriarchy that our nation and society is still operating under. When men’s health rights are at risk of being violated, there is an uproar, but nobody gives the endless struggle with abortion a second thought. Somehow it is not acceptable to tell men when, how, and why they will have children, but it is fine to leave women with the burden of a pregnancy that they, for many possible reasons, cannot support.

Overall, abortion is still a controversial debate, and will likely remain that way for years to come. It is linked the historical oppression of women and the battle against their rights. Our government has the power to force a women to bear a child that they incapable of supporting or caring for. This communicates a message that women do not really own their bodies. It is the law makers, politicians, and social influencers who govern our reproductive systems. This will only be changed with further discussion and conversation that will bring the government’s injustice and oppression of women to the forefront.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/20/trump-goes-global-his-absurd-anti-abortion-agenda