Symbolic Interaction Theory On Abortion

The topic I chose to write about is “The Abortion Controversy” because it is a complex issue. It is a debate between people who see abortion as a moral issue (pro-life) and those who value a woman’s right to choose what to do with her own body (pro-choice). The debate between these two groups has been going on for decades.

In 1900 a law was passed banning women from having an abortion. Before 1900, abortions were a common practice and usually performed by a midwife, but doctors saw this as a financial threat and pushed for a law making abortions illegal. From 1900 until 1973, when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a women’s right to have an abortion, women who wanted to have an abortion did so secretly. These secret abortions were performed

under the worst conditions with a risk of danger to the woman. Legalizing abortion made it possible for women to get the best care possible. Even though abortions have been legal for over forty years, abortion is still a heated topic.

When 40 percent of the citizens choose a political candidate, they choose one based on the candidate’s opinion on abortion. In a recent survey, 83 percent of people feel abortion is only okay under certain circumstances and 43 percent no matter the reason. This is why it is a complex issue because there are many reasons why an abortion is performed. There have been approximately 50 million since abortion became legal in 1973. Those who are pro-life believe abortion is taking the life of an unborn child and those that are pro-choice believe a woman has a right to choose what to do with her body. The article also states that women will not have the same opportunity as men if they do not have control of their bodies. This is why women need access to abortions that are safe and are legal.

Description of Text-based Ideas, Concepts, and Theories

The Structural-Functional Theory addresses the regulation of sexuality by society.

Throughout time sex has been used for the human species to reproduce. When birth control was invented, sex was no longer just for reproduction. Children, especially before birth control was invented, were often times the result of sexual relations. If children were born to parents who were not married, they were considered illegitimate and legitimate to parents who were married. Society has changed how it views sex in regards to who should have sex with whom and for what purpose.

The Symbolic-Interaction Theory explains how everyone in a society views sexual behavior differently than others. Some cultures are more relaxed than others about sexuality and time also plays a factor in a societies viewpoint. Over a century ago, it was not acceptable to marry a woman who was not considered a virgin, but this did not always apply to males. This slowly changed due to birth control which changed how people viewed sex. Society is more tolerant of sexual activity, but some still consider sex before marriage

important.

The Social-Conflict Theory as well as the Feminist Theory view sexuality as a way for males to dominate women.

One example in how sexuality is used to dominate women is pornography. Women are not seen as another human being by men, but as a sexual object for pleasure. The idea that men have power over women can also be seen in how government officials are always trying to create laws to control a woman’s right to an abortion. These laws limit a woman’s right to choose for herself what is best for her body and not leaving it to government officials to decide what is best for her. Restrictions on abortions which have been decided by mostly men, have made it a more difficult process for women but it does not apply to

males.

What Do You Think?

The view conservatives and liberals have towards abortion is very similar to how they view pornography. Conservatives view the problem with pornography and abortion as a moral issue. These things go against what conservatives believe to be right and wrong. Liberals see pornography and abortion in the same way the Social-Conflict Theory defines it as inequality. Pornography degrades women and allows men to dominate women. Abortion is being restricted my males making laws that limit a woman’s decisions about her life.

The results of the survey showing that women and men feel the same way about abortion are not surprising. Just like conservatives and liberals having different opinions, those who we are in relationships with usually have the same opinions as we do. There is a split between people who feel abortion is justified under certain circumstances and people who feel an abortion is alright under any circumstances. Men and women who have the same opinion are likely part of the same political group and believe the same way. The more conservative a male and female are the less likely they are to support abortion. The more liberal a couple is the more they would support abortion for any reason.

The reason abortion is so controversy is it deals with the life of an unborn child according to conservatives and an embryo according to liberals. If you believe life begins at conception, then having an abortion is killing an innocent life who does not have a voice. On the other hand, if you believe life does not begin at conception than an abortion is not taking a life. I do not know if there can be middle ground between the two groups. Looking at the Social-Interaction Theory, people define sexuality and abortion differently and we need to respect another person’s view. It is difficult to make laws limiting another person’s freedom based on what one group of people feel is morally wrong. Just like the Social-Conflict Theory, women are not equal unless they have the right to make choices about their own body. I do not see conservatives or liberals compromising on the issue of abortion. This is why it has been a heated topic for so long.