Abortion: A Controversial Issue Open to Debate and Discussion - Essay Sample

Introduction

Abortion is perceived as a very controversial issue that has been debated since the beginning of time. Abortion can be described as the termination of pregnancy, as well as the expulsion of an embryo or even a fetus that is unable to survive. However, the argument about abortion is not as easy as the definition presented above, however, like any other part of human life, the statement of the definition is not either right or wrong but let open for debate or discussion (Thomson, 40). Many individuals disapprove of abortion, and their argument may be that abortion is the killing of an innocent and helpless baby who has not been given a chance or opportunity to live and function like a normal human being. On the other hand, the opposing discussion is that it is the right of a woman to choose what happens to her body, and in any case that a woman ascertains that she is not in the position to bring a baby to life then she has a right to terminate the pregnancy.

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The argument of this paper is based on their articles that are considered informative, refreshing as well as persuasively structures to present my view of abortion. Although the general society is divided on the issue of abortion, there are, however, mitigating situations or circumstances that may compel a woman to consider abortion. Opponent considers arbitration to be murder and hence condemns it and terms are to be infanticide while the proponents consider abortion as a woman's inherent right to her body and the views that limit or abolish the abortion as infringing on a woman's sexual as well as health right (Tooley, 56). From the proponents' point of view is that criminalizing the abortion practice will only achieve the results of driving the practice underground and this can have the outcomes of increasing the number of deaths as a result of illegal abortion practices, or lifelong impairments as results or crook or unsafe procedures, botched abortions (Thomson, 40). In the pro-life opinion, it is their view that each state or country should have the right to pass and implement their law regarding abortion issues. It is also very important to note that most of the individuals would like the complete criminalization of abortion and never the less it is important to note that both sides have their basis for supporting or in contrary opposing abortion, the practice is immoral and has the outcome of the making of the human life seem needless.

Pregnancy occurs in several ways, as a result of rape, consensual sex, the act of incest. And abortion may result because of the same reasons. For instance, for a woman who has been raped or engaged in incest against their will, the events of being pregnant out of such a traumatizing event may derive a woman to consider abortion. And this is undertaken as a way of erasing the painful ordeal (Tooley, 56). There is the other category of individuals who get pregnant, and they have no means of taking care of the baby, such as the students, unemployed young graduates, or the low-income earners may decide to terminate their pregnancies as they feel that they can not adequately provide for their babies. A student who gets pregnant may be forced to drop out of school, which might set her on a long path of financial dependency (Thomson, 40). Alternatively, the student may opt for an abortion to continue with her studies. However, a woman may also feel that she is not ready to have children regardless of her age or financial status and this might have an encumberment feeling which drives the lady to opt for an abortion, and this may be more so if the lady gets a feeling that the pregnancy or having a child may hinder her professional goals or social life. In addition to this, the other category of women is the mothers who might opt for an abortion since they do not want a large family or additional children.

The other reason as to why women consider abortion is because of health concerns. In case the pregnancy may put the life of the mother in danger, then the mother may be advised to terminate the pregnancy (Tooley, 56). The women may also be forced to terminate a fetus if it shows a significant likelihood that the baby will be disabled if the baby born will require an inordinate sum of care and the baby may not live long after birth, and in this case, the baby may opt to have an abortion done. A baby who might have challenges due to serious retardation or disabilities may face serious difficulties once born. Then the mother may, therefore, decide to have an abortion (Thomson, 40). In case the life of the mother and the baby are in danger, then the doctors may encourage the mother to terminate the pregnancy to save the life of the mother. Also, the mother in an abusive life may consequently decide to have an abortion to prevent her from bringing her baby in a harsh environment and may choose to terminate the pregnancy to protect her baby from abuse.

In her article, the abortion divides deeper, Michelle Goldberg presents a candidate overview of the political undertones deriving the abortion debate. She points out that both the democratic and the republicans are polarized, along with support and opposition to abortion. Members from both sides acknowledge tactically the scientific facts are important in termination of whether abortion is eminent or not, and the decision on abortion is not centered on morality or religious beliefs (Tooley, 56). Michelle writes persuasively uses logos when addressing the widening chasm between democrats and republicans concerning abortion and states that regardless of which side neither of them will win.

On the contrary, McCurdy states the abortion account for the largest percentage of the annual deaths in the state. In his article, the similarly examines the opposition pro-life supporters when they employ their view of morality as well as religious belief to oppose the practice. It is the view of the pro-life supporters that religious beliefs do not constitute the implementation of public policies, even more, insecure nations. He differs from them on the basis that the regal policies in the state are based on religious convictions, and hence it is very difficult to disengage a state completely from its religious foundations. The author skillfully employs ethos in addressing the fundamental value of standing with marginalization as well as the vulnerable members of the community, for instance, the poor as well as the immigrants. Amongst the vulnerable, the unborn who can not defend themselves should be included. In his article, McCurdy argues scientifically a fetus is a human life and should be treated as such as a fetus should be treated with care and protected too. In addressing the issue, McCurdy uses ethos, pathos, and logos to engage the audience. His urgent is based on the golden rule that we should up to others what we would want to do to ourselves.

Conclusion

In conclusion, abortion is an emotive issue that divides the community almost equally, either in support or contrary opposition. The support of abortion is based on the premise that a woman's right to her body is super-passes that of the fetus to live. Although there are circumstances in which abortion may be inevitable such as in instances when the life of the mother is in danger, the blanket acceptance and practice of the abortion should be highly be discouraged. As fetuses are living humans from the time of conception, then they must be accorded the same rights that all other members of the human family areas accorded, such as freedom or right to live.

Thomson, Judith Jarvis. "A defence of abortion." Biomedical ethics and the law. Springer, Boston, MA, 1976. 39-54. Retrieved 10 February 2020, from https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4684-2223-8_5

Tooley, Michael. "Abortion and infanticide." Philosophy & Public Affairs (1972): 37-65. Retrieved 10 February 2020, from https://www.researchgate.net/journal/0048-3915_Philosophy_Public_Affairs