Scribd
Upload
16 views7 pages

Introduction

Uploaded by

mekuriamasha11
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
16 views7 pages

Introduction

Uploaded by

mekuriamasha11
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

Abortion

 Ethical, Legal, Social issues

Introduction:

 Abortion is one of the most debated issues in today’s world. It


brings up big questions about what’s right or wrong (ethics), the
law, and how it affects people. It’s also an important topic in
applied ethics, which is about using moral ideas to deal with real-
world problems. When it comes to abortion, some people believe a
woman should have the right to choose what happens to her body,
while others believe the unborn child’s life should be protected. This
essay will look at these arguments and how abortion is handled in
law, society, and healthcare.

---
Main Body:

1. Ethical Issues

 Abortion is often discussed from two main points of view: pro-life


and pro-choice.

I. Pro-Life View: People who support this idea believe that life starts at
the moment of conception (when the sperm meets the egg), so ending a
pregnancy is like taking a life. They think the unborn baby has a right to live,
and this right should be protected by the law. Many of these ideas are
supported by religious beliefs, such as Christianity and Islam, which teach
that all life is sacred.

II. Pro-Choice View: On the other hand, pro-choice supporters believe that a
woman has the right to make decisions about her own body, including
whether or not to continue a pregnancy. They argue that this choice is
personal and should not be controlled by laws or other people’s beliefs. Pro-
choice people also focus on the woman’s health and well-being, especially if
continuing the pregnancy could harm her.
2. Legal Perspectives

 Abortion laws are very different around the world, depending on


the country or state.

 U.S. Legal History: A very important case in the U.S. is Roe v. Wade
(1973), where the Supreme Court decided that women have the right to
choose an abortion. This ruling was based on the right to privacy. However,
in 2022, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case changed
this decision, allowing each state to make its own laws about abortion. Some
states have banned it completely, while others still allow it.

 Global Legal Views: In some countries like Ireland and Argentina, abortion
laws have recently changed to allow more access to abortion services. These
changes show that ideas about women’s rights and health are evolving
around the world.

 Abortion Law in Ethiopia: In Ethiopia, abortion is legally permitted under


certain conditions. The law, revised in 2005, allows abortion in cases of rape,
incest, when the pregnancy endangers the woman's life or health, or in cases
of fetal impairment. Additionally, minors or women with physical or mental
disabilities can access abortion. This legal framework reflects a more
progressive approach compared to many African countries, aiming to reduce
unsafe abortions and improve maternal health outcomes. Despite the legal
provisions, access to safe abortion services can still be a challenge, especially
in rural areas with limited healthcare resources.
3. Social and Economic Effects

 The availability of abortion has major impacts on people’s lives,


especially for those who are less fortunate.

 Impact on Marginalized Groups: Restricting access to safe, legal abortion


affects low-income women, women in rural areas, and women of color the
most. Without safe abortion options, they may turn to unsafe methods,
which increases health risks and death.

 Economic Consequences: Women who can’t get an abortion when they


need one often face financial difficulties. They may struggle to support the
children they already have, finish school, or maintain jobs. On the other
hand, women who can access safe abortions have more control over their
futures and their families' well-being.

4. Medical and Emotional Impacts

 When done safely and legally, abortion is a very safe medical


procedure.

 Medical Safety: Legal abortions, when performed in clinics or hospitals by


trained professionals, rarely cause complications. However, when abortion is
illegal or hard to access, women may turn to unsafe methods.

o Some examples of unsafe abortion methods include:


 Ingestion of toxic substances: Some women may attempt to induce
abortion by drinking harmful substances like bleach, laundry detergent,
or herbal concoctions, which can lead to poisoning, internal damage, or
even death.

 Insertion of sharp objects: This involves inserting dangerous items


such as sticks, coat hangers, or knitting needles into the uterus, which
can cause serious infections, internal injuries, or perforation of the
uterus.

 Unregulated medications: Women may take unregulated or


counterfeit pills bought from unlicensed sources, which can be
ineffective or cause severe side effects, such as excessive bleeding or
infection.

 Physical trauma: Some women may resort to dangerous physical


methods like receiving blows to the abdomen or undergoing extreme
physical exertion in an attempt to end the pregnancy, risking severe
injuries and internal bleeding.

 Unsafe abortions not only lead to serious health risks, such as severe
infections, heavy bleeding, or death, but they also place an enormous burden
on healthcare systems, especially in countries with limited medical
resources.

 Emotional Effects: The emotional impact of abortion varies greatly.


Some women feel relief, while others may experience feelings of guilt or
sadness, especially if they were pressured into the procedure. Access to
emotional support, such as counseling, can help women process their
feelings before and after the procedure.
Conclusion:

 Abortion is a complex issue that deals with big ideas in ethics, law, and
society. As part of applied ethics, it helps us think about difficult questions
like when life begins and who has the right to make decisions about it. The
legal system is still changing, especially in the U.S., as different places try to
find the right balance between personal rights and moral beliefs. The social
and economic effects are also important, especially for women who don’t
have easy access to healthcare. Understanding abortion from these different
angles helps us see how much it impacts people’s lives.

Reference:
1. Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973): A landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that
legalized abortion nationwide, based on a woman's right to privacy.
2. Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, 597 U.S. ___ (2022): A Supreme
Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, giving states the power to regulate
abortion laws.
3. World Health Organization (2020). Abortion. WHO. This source provides
information on global health standards for abortion, focusing on safety and health
impacts.
4. Guttmacher Institute (2019). Abortion Worldwide: Uneven Progress and Unequal
Access. This report discusses global access to abortion and challenges in healthcare,
emphasizing unsafe abortion methods and their consequences.
5. Berer, M. (2000). Making abortions safe: a matter of good public health policy and
practice. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. This article highlights the
importance of public health approaches to making abortion safer and reducing the
risks of unsafe procedures.
6. McCurdy, S. A., & Kadya, R. S. (2007). Unsafe abortion in sub-Saharan Africa: Can
public health respond?. Journal of Public Health Policy. This source was used to
explain unsafe abortion practices and public health responses in Africa, which ties into
the Ethiopian context.

You might also like