by Mepersoner

Created on: November 10, 2006   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

The topic of abortion is a divisive one, with a lot of strong opinions and strong stances. It is rare to find a person who knows much about it, but does not fall hard on one side of the spectrum or the other. People tend to either believe they are pro-choice and their are opponents are anti-choice, or they believe they are pro-life, and their opponents are anti-life. To understand abortion, people need to understand the reasoning some are for it, and some are against it as well as knowing the brief history of it in the United States. To be fair an argument should be made in favor of it, then a counter-argument followed by an argument against followed by a counter-argument followed by an argument for... until the arguments have run their course and then a person may decide for him or herself, or choose not to become too involved in such an intense subject.

Pro-choice:Abortion is a woman's right
This is probably the most common case you will hear from the pro-choice crowd. It stems from the idea that a fetus is not a child, but a part of a woman's body. Since the fetus has a mostly negative effect on a woman's body, and some even would go so far as to call it a parasite, she has a right to get rid of it. Also, since the woman would be the one who would probably have to raise it, it is unfair to require her to have the child and give up a significant portion of her life and money in raising it. Even if adoption is considered, she still must carry the child for 9 months. Lesser pro-choicers will set limits to how long it is okay to have an abortion (first two trimesters), but these are moderate views.

Counter-Argument: The child has a right to life
This argument stems from the belief that an unborn baby has the same rights as someone who is already born. A child has the same DNA and has already begun its natural life cycle (which we go through until death) and it would be murder to kill the child (also may believe this because of belief of the soul entering at conception). Although some may recognize that it is not right to force a woman to carry the child for 9 months, it is usually her own fault she is pregnant (choosing to engage in sexual intercourse while knowing the possible consequences). Although sometimes looked down upon by the more extreme pro-lifers, some make an exception to rape cases because of this and almost all make exceptions when the mother's life is in danger.

Counter-Counter-Argument: Flaws in believing it is a child
Often, after the egg has been

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>