Women vs. Government

In the past two decades, many personal decision topics have become issues of great controversy. One major subject that has come back into the spotlight because of the presidential elections is abortion. People cannot be as ignorant on this topic as some want to be. If someone is pro-choice or pro-life; it is important to know all the facts. There are three types of abortions, typically done in the first few months of pregnancy. The first is a natural abortion, also called a miscarriage. The second type of abortion is by medicinal means. In this case, a doctor prescribes medication during the first trimester that makes the uterine walls contract and force the fetus out of the uterus. One of the most common drugs for this procedure is called RU-486. The third way that abortions are done is surgically. There are several methods to this, including sucking the fetus out with a suctioning device. Abortion during the third trimester is called a partial-birth abortion. For the most part, the baby is fully developed. The mother is given labor-inducing medication. Once she goes into labor, and the baby comes towards the cervix, a sharp tool is pushed into the back of the baby’s skull. These abortions are rarely done for medical means. The only reason for partial birth abortions is the mother’s choice. These elective procedures have been banned in most states. Also, when a mother has a miscarriage during the third trimester, the same type of procedure is used. This procedure is either done surgically or medicinally. They are done similarly to abortions done in the first trimester. Many people are against abortions, and have been coined as pro-life. People that are against abortions usually have some type of religious background that prohibits abortions, and feel that the Bible supports their decisions. Although not all pro-life advocates are religious; some feel that the fetus is a human being, and ending the life of a fetus is murder. This decision relates back to the belief that a baby in its mother’s womb is considered living, instead of just a mass of developing tissue. This brings up another important issue. Some believe that equal rights to all humans includes the unborn, and not just the birthed. These issues are close to the hearts of the many people that support this choice. Certainly, there are people on the other side of this argument. These people are called pro-choice. Some pro-choicers feel that a fetus is just a mass of tissue. Also, many of these people believe that if harm will be done to the mother by having the child, it is easier to have an abortion and spare the mother’s life. Many that are pro choice are just that; they feel that it should be the woman’s right to choose whether or not she wants to have an abortion. A large factor that most do not take into consideration is that if abortions are outlawed, then women will be perfoming the procedure on themselves. Every child should be a wanted child in the ideals of pro-choice advocate. Some people weigh the facts in their mind and still can not make a decision between pro-life and pro-choice. The feelings that they have about abortions are somewhere between the two options. Some feel that abortion is okay in some cases, like rape or incest, but is wrong as a birth control method. No matter what your views are, they are okay, because you have the right to take a stance on such an important issue. With the elections coming around, it is important to know what the candidates you may be voting for stand on this topic. This is just one of the ways that you can make an informed decision when voting in November for the next President. Within the last four years, President Bush has brought the Roe vs. Wade decision to the supreme court. He believes that abortion should be allowed in cases of incest and rape, but does not feel that they should be used elsewhere. He would like to make a federal ban on partial-birth abortion. Presidential candidate John Kerry has a much more liberal approach to the topic of abortions. Kerry’s views are that abortions should be a woman’s choice. Also, he feels that abortion can be a way of family planning. Kerry promotes the fact that he will appoint Supreme Court justices that are committed to law, civil, and abortion rights, according to CNN.com. In most cases, abortion can be prevented by having safe sex. If someone is old enough to have sex, they are old enough to take the responsibilities of what happens in the aftermath. Make informed and smart decisions; they could affect those closer to you than you’d like to believe.