Arguments Against Abortion Research

Abortion has always seemed to find itself as a controversial topic around the globe. As may be any law regarding the rights of what a woman is or is not allowed to do with her body. In being so, laws have been enacted limiting or liberating abortion rights. In 1994, the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development called onto countries to create a stronger commitment to women’s health by addressing unsafe abortions and supporting, “a woman’s right to make decisions about her reproductive capacity and her body,” (Center for Reproductive Rights, 2011). Since then, multiple countries have created abortion laws that allow safer options for women, while many others have created more restrictive policies towards the issue. This is partly due by many countries’ religious and cultural beliefs. Religious/cultural beliefs should not have any influence in regards to public policy towards abortion.

Everyone carries differing beliefs and ideologies with them, there is not one that pertains to all. One cannot assume that their truth is the same as the person next to them. Creating policies based on religious

beliefs can create discrimination against those who do not share the same opinion. In a country such as the United States, where there is such a variety of races and ethnicities, there are multiple kinds of religions and practices. These can be as common as Catholicism to Paganism as well. So creating a policy based on one ideology disenfranchises the rest of those who do not believe in it as well.
A common argument is made by the Catholic community which is Right to Life, saying that conception begins at birth and that to have an abortion is killing said life.

This goes regardless of a woman’s reason to procure one, be it socioeconomic situation, rape, incest, risk of mothers life, or fetal impairment. Another argument within this community is on the grounds of morals. It is believed that to have the option of having an abortion may promote sexual promiscuity. If the option is taken away, there could be less of a probability that premarital or extramarital sex would occur (Jelen, 1984, p. 221). The same rationale is put into sexual education as well. Although, schools who promote the practice of abstinence instead of safe behaviors have been shown to have higher numbers of unintended pregnancy as well as HIV/AIDS, and

STI’s.
Policies in regards to abortion have a public health impact to be taken into consideration as well. Louise Finer and Johanna Fine bring up the fact that, “legal restrictions that limit the grounds on which a woman may terminate a pregnancy increase the percentage of unlawful and unsafe procedures,” (Fine & Fine, 2013). When there are little to no options women are forced to look elsewhere for an abortion. This can increase mortality rates among women and cause permanent damage to their bodies. Barriers imposed such as mandatory biased counseling and waiting periods can limit their access to safe services and makes it seem as if they are not competent enough to make decisions about their bodies on their own (Fine & Fine, 2013).
When laws are imposed based on a specific person or communities beliefs it infringes on the rights of those who do not pertain to such ideologies. As stated previously, it disenfranchises a large percentage of a population. On the subject of abortion, it can even cause health issues, at both a social and physical level. One must take into consideration that every woman’s situation is different and one law cannot decide that for each and every woman.