Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Physical and mental effects of rape on women
Freedom of choice and abortion
Pro-choice vs pro-life debate
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Abortion is one of the most debatable subjects in our society. There are many different points of views when it comes to this sensitive topic. Initially when I started researching the topic I was almost certain that I would fall into the category of Pro-life individuals. However, after thinking long and hard and taking rape into consideration I have to say my views have changed completely. Although I am still against abortion, I think there should be certain exceptions made for women who are sexually assaulted and become pregnant from the rape. Hopefully after reading the research information I am providing, you will also take into consideration an abortion in the event of rape. To be raped is to be sexually assaulted forcefully and unwillingly. According to the Uniform Crime reports, of all serious offenses, rape is probably “the most under reported crime.” Victims of rape are not only violated physically, they are violated mentally as well. It is a very traumatic experience that woman have to deal with for the remainder of their life. They usually incur symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome, stress disorders, fear, constant memories of the attack, a loss of confidence, and shame. (Mary E. Williams) These effects alter the victim’s life severely and can interfere with their day to day life and relationships. Being raped is a horrific crime that no woman should ever have to endure. In many cases victims of rape may become impregnated by the perpetrator leaving the victim to another form of violation. According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, at least 9,100 abortions each year are attributed to pregnancies that occur because of forced sexual intercourse. (Irin Carmon) The Pro-life view also feels that abortion in the ... ... middle of paper ... ...arring it completely in the face they don’t know exactly how they will react. . I have never been raped and I can only imagine the effect it would have on me. I hope that in reading this information you will have more of an opened mind to decision of abortion in rape cases. Works Cited “Abortion Is a Woman’s Right.” Opposing Viewpoints in Context. 2005. Web. 13 Jan. 2014 Carmen, Irin. “Abortion Bans with Exceptions for Rape Are Hypocritical.” Opposing Viewpoints in Context. 2012. Web. 13 Jan. 2014 Haugen, David, ed. Susan Musser, ed. Kacy Lovelace, ed. Abortion. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2010. Print MacNamara, Donal, Edward Sagarin. Sex, Crime, and the Law. New York: Macmillan, 1977. Print “Rape and Sexual Violence Are Serious Problems.” Opposing Viewpoints in Context. 2008. Web. 24 Jan. 2014. Williams, Mary, ed. Rape. San Diego: Greenhaven, 2001. Print
In Judith Jarvis Thompson’s article “A Defense of Abortion” she explores the different arguments against abortion presented by Pro –Life activists, and then attempts to refute these notions using different analogies or made up “for instances” to help argue her point that women do have the right to get an abortion. She explains why abortion is morally permissible using different circumstances of becoming pregnant, such as rape or unplanned pregnancy.
Rape can happen to anyone. Women from different cultures, races, ages, and economic level are all vulnerable. It does not matter who you are or where you live, although women of lowest status are most vulnerable to rape, and so are Hispanic and African American women. (An...
Over the course of the last century, abortion in the Western hemisphere has become a largely controversial topic that affects every human being. In the United States, at current rates, one in three women will have had an abortion by the time they reach the age of 45. The questions surrounding the laws are of moral, social, and medical dilemmas that rely upon the most fundamental principles of ethics and philosophy. At the center of the argument is the not so clear cut lines dictating what life is, or is not, and where a fetus finds itself amongst its meaning. In an effort to answer the question, lawmakers are establishing public policies dictating what a woman may or may not do with regard to her reproductive rights.
I chose not to and had twins at the age of 18, however my case had nothing to do with rape. As a woman I find myself continually come back to the notion that it is my body, my choice and not a matter of anyone else’s concern. I did find myself at times swaying back and forth because I do think that life is precious, and that anytime God gives the opportunity to raise a child it is truly a gift. I however cannot fathom the idea of having a child as a product of rape, every time you see that child you would be reminded of that terrible experience. Abortion is a difficult decision it changes your life completely one way or the other. Personally for me the only reason I would even think about abortion would be in a case of
Abortion has always been a hard decision for a women to have to make. Mainly because people have always viewed abortion as either morally wrong or not wrong at all. Everyone has different thoughts and concerns when it comes to abortion. There are a numerous amount of reasons why a women has to choose abortion, whether it be rape, the feeling of being unprepared, not ready age wise or their life is in danger, whatever the case may be it should be their choice.
To most Americans Rape has a tendency to be one of the cruelest forms of criminal violence. The victim can suffer from incredible injuries, and substantial amounts of embarrassment. Rendered powerless by physical force, threats, or fear, after which being forced to submit to sexual acts, including vaginal penetration, oral copulation, sodomy, and penetration opening with a foreign object, the victim is left virtually alone. Rape is an intrusion into the most private and intimate parts of the body, as well as an assault on the core of the self. Whether or not the victim acquires any physical injuries, the psychological impact of a sexual assault is severe. Additionally, the painful, post-trauma symptoms that usually always accompany rape are long-lasting. Even the victims who seem to have been able to move on with their life often find that an extreme feeling of powerlessness and vulnerability remains close and can easily, and unexpectedly, be re-experienced. A most important aspect in the long-term impact of rape is that the assault negatively changes the victim...
Pro-life believers do not support the idea of an abortion, but what after being raped? The decision on whether to keep the baby after such a horrific matter varies women around us. While some women believe it is best to keep the baby, supporting the idea that the baby is part of them, others do not want to be constantly reminded of the rape with a baby that can possibly have the exact image as their rapist. According to Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthar, “… it would be immensely difficult for a woman to be comfortable with a child born out of such a traumatic experience” (51). Not a single person should be forced to have a baby they did not decide to have. The individual did not choose to be raped. Some pro-life supporters may suggest adoption, but what if it wasn’t that easy? A pro-life defender does not take in consideration the age of the victim. When thinking about a victim of rape, the first idea that comes to each of our minds is a young woman in high school or out of school, b...
To help understand what happens to victims and how they feel; here are the results of a survey done in 1985 and 1993. It was found that 73% of rape victims say that they were not raped. There is a lot of self-blame involved in rape. Many victims blame themselves for what happened to them. One out of 4 women have been rape victims and 84% knew their attacker. While 42% did not tell anyone of the account of rape that happened to them, only 5% of the victims actually take the incidence to the police or some kind of administration. Informing the police is very important.
Rape is among the more horrific violations of human dignity imaginable. It is a crime committed by the male, not the female—and certainly not by the child it might produce. When rape results in pregnancy, the baby has the same right to life as any child born by mutually loving parents. Only the Nazis would execute a child for the crimes of his or her father.
To begin, many women who become pregnant by rape have an abortion, “29 percent had an abortion” (.......). These women were not ready to commit to a lifelong commitment of having children. Abortion is a quick way to forget about the situation and never have to face it again in the future. Many women who become pregnant through rape are not financially or emotionally stable to care for a child. For instance, women make a decision of abortion “that they cannot raise a child at the moment” (.......). Women who simply don’t have the time or money to raise a child often spares the child’s life so they can continue their life without the unwanted struggle of a child. Women who are raped and become pregnant did not get the freedom of choice, so they feel entitled of the choice to have the baby or
Also pro-choice people say “what if she was raped? Then it should be allowed.” Well these claims can be exposed. The claim that abortion will save the child from a life of abuse can be disproven by a 1973 report, in 1973 abortion became legal in the United States, there were 167,000 cases of child abuse and neglect reported. Yet in 1980 there were 785,100 cases - an increase of 370% from 1973. Then in 1987 there were 2,025,200 cases reported, which represents an increase of 1112%. A portion of this increase is due to better reporting, still experts agree that these figures reflect a real trend toward higher rates of abuse. Abortion didn’t help stop child abuse, the legalization of abortion has actually contributed to its extreme rise due to the emotional effects abortion has on women 's self-esteem and the ability to deal with stress. The other myth is that abortion is used mainly as a last resort, mostly for pregnancies that result from rape or incest. The Alan Guttmacher Institute did a study called "Why Women Have Abortions," women gave specific reasons why they had an abortion. The top three answers were the mother was unready for responsibility, can 't afford baby now, or concern about how having a baby would change her life. The three reasons which came in last place and were tied at 1 percent were, the mother was a victim of rape or incest. Husband or partner wanted the abortion. Didn 't want others to know she has had sex or is pregnant. Therefore, abortion is not mainly used as a last resort, but a form of birth
Sexual assault is a problem that affects many students in colleges. Sexual assault is defined as “any unwanted contact” (6) performed on “an unwilling victim, without consent” (2). This means anything from touching to completed rape. Without consent means that “vigorous efforts were made to avoid sexual contact” (2). Physical symptoms of sexual assault can tamper with the victim’s quality of life. It can be pelvic pain, migraines, and even disability that can prevent a victim from working. There are over 32,000 pregnancies a year that are a result of completed rape, but problems with pregnancy can also be a result of sexual assault. In addition to these effects, women who experience this assault are more likely to contract sexually transmitted diseases (2).
...ooses to dis-own her own child either way. If a women is raped, proper medical care would ensure them that they will not get pregnant. Abortion is a punishment to an innocent unborn child who contributed nothing in the act of the crime; the perpetrator should be the one to be punished. On this topic, it does have something to do with my religious views. Either way, people should understand and realize that this is completely and visibly just plain murder. How would you feel if your own mother decided to have an abortion on you? I think people do have the right to choose what to do with their own body, but they should not only just think about their selves in the matter.
Women who have become pregnant should take the responsibility for their actions in becoming pregnant. This excludes the argument of “What if the woman was raped?” In the case of a rape, I still believe abortion is not the right way to handle the grief, guilt and depression that a woman may experience after finding out that she has become pregnant after being raped. To abort the baby won’t get rid of the pain a woman has been feeling as a result of the traumatic experience she had been through. I believe that aborting the baby will make things even more difficult. There is always the opportunity to give the child to a loving family who may not be able to conceive a child on their own. Abortion to me though, in my opinion, will always be wrong. I believe that the act of aborting an unborn baby is to be considered murder. I have many reasons as to why I feel this way. First, I believe that an unborn baby is still a human being and their life is as precious as anyone else’s life. Most women do not know they are pregnant as soon as their baby starts developing. 3-4 weeks, or as early as 18 days, after conception, a baby’s heart will start to beat. This to me means the baby is a living creature, a human being at that point. According the website beginbeforebirth.org, it is stated at about 17 weeks
Abortion has been accepted by the United States of America ever since the monumental Roe vs. Wade case in the early 1970’s, but is still a very controversial issue. Many people are for and against abortions. Some people say that the child inside its mother’s womb deserves the opportunity to live, while others believe that a mother has the right to choose whether or not her fetus can live or die. Other advocates for abortion claim that abortion helps keep the threat of overpopulation down. They also say that in many extreme cases, it is in the best interest of the mother and the child that the fetus be aborted. Abortion helps keep the crime rate low, so it should remain legal, they also say.