Analyzing Abortion

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Analyzing Abortion

In 1973, Roe versus Wade instigated an ongoing debate in the United States concerning the implementation of abortion (Rubin 1). Prior to Roe, abortion was illegal, however it was practiced. In 1846, a few blocks south of Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, Madame Restell performed illegal abortions to “cure” female irregularities, or pregnancies (Rubin 1). After Restell, a group called “Jane”, also known as the Abortion Counseling Service of the Chicago Women’s Liberation Union, performed more than 11,000 illegal abortions from 1969-73 in Chicago alone (Horst 1). Though the Court decision lawfully settled the argument, the abortion issue developed further creating a substantial amount of turmoil between the opposing parties. Throughout the years, the judicial system and individual states have instituted different restrictions on abortion, appeasing the pro-life movement. In 1992, the Supreme Court ruled in Casey vs. Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania that an abortion could be obtained only in the first or second trimester. However, many states today do allow abortions in the third trimester if the mother’s life is in danger (Rubin 2). Overall, lead by President George W. Bush, there has been an increase in political opposition towards abortion (Simon). However, based on the fact that the Supreme Court has legalized abortion, the government must abide by and respect that decision. The federal government must implement the abortion policy equally, by providing funds on a statewide basis.

Currently, 25% of the world’s population lives in 54 countries where abortion is either entirely banned or available only to save a woman’s life. Among these are Ireland, Portugal and 13 countries from Latin Ame...

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...bstinence.” New Statesman (London, England: 1996) 132.26 (Nov., 2003) {primary scholarly; print via internet; authoritative}

US Bureau of Statistics. Median weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation and sex. Washington, D.C: 2002. <ftp://ftp.bls.gov/pub/special.requests/lf/aat39.txt> 24 March 2004. {secondary scholarly; print via internet; authoritative}

US Department of Labor, Bureau of Statistics. Women’s earnings in professional specialty occupations. Washington, D.C: 29 Oct. 2003. <http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2003/oct/wk4/art03.htm> 24 March 2004. {secondary scholarly; print via internet; authoritative}

Wlezien, Christopher B. and Malcolm L Goggin. “The Courts, Interest Groups, and Public Opinion about Abortion.” Political Behavior 15.4 (Dec., 2003): 381-405. {primary scholarly; print via internet; authoritative}

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