Abortion is a divisive and complex topic that has evolved for many decades in history.

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Ryan Bing

ENGL 102 905

Abstract

Abortion is a divisive and complex topic that has evolved for many decades in

history. While looking into the historical background on the case of Roe vs. Wade

presented in the Supreme Court of the U.S in 1973, this report focuses on the legalization

of abortion in Philadelphia. Taking into considerations expert analysis and their opinions,

this paper attempts to find the answer to the research question of what have been the

positive and negative impacts of abortion in Philadelphia. With the rise of advanced

medical equipment, religious issues and emancipation policies, the debate have been

focusing on the rights of women towards their own bodies and what implications does

abortion law have on women and the society as a whole. While some have supported the

pro-choice arguing that women should have the rights to their bodies, others have

questioned the legality and morality of abortion issues. Although the pro-choice experts

support abortion rights, the pro-life are against this practice and its legality arguing that it

threatens the life of the mother. Thus, the abortion debate is a significant topic that has

legal and policy implications on the health of people in society. Despite the surrounding

controversy behind this subject, an expert shows that abortion has not only had negative

impacts but also positive consequences on women in need.

Key Terms: Abortion, Pro-life, Pro-choice, Informed Consent, and Fetus.

Table of Contents

Abstract ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….1

Introduction: Abortion Argumentative Essay…………………………………………………………….3

Topic: Legalizing Abortion in Philadelphia ……………………………………………………………..3

Historical Background……………………………………………………………………………………………3

Expert Analysis …………………………………………………………………………………………………….6

Response to Expert………………………………………………………………………………………………..8

Argument……………………………………………………………………………………………………………12

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14

Reflection …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..15

Annotated Bibliography ……………………………………………………………………………………….16

Works Cited………………………………………………………………………………………………………..19

Introduction: Abortion Argumentative Essay

The controversial issue surrounding the abortion debate has raised concern that

demands critical analysis on whether women should have the right to terminate the

pregnancy or not. Abortion is not a new topic but it has been an ending debate for many

decades not only in Philadelphia but also across the globe. Today, no single social-related

problem that prompts arguments more than the abortion debate. The recent policy and

legal changes, as well as increased advanced medical technology in the health care sector,

are among the aspects contributing to the centrality of this debate. Thus, this study

attempts to offer insight into the negative and positive implications of abortion in the

state. The topic is of great significance because it seeks to find answers to this

provocative issue in order to determine if abortion should remain legal or the state should

abolish it. Although there have been many arguments for and against the legalization of

abortion in Philadelphia, abortion has reduced crime rates, unsafe abortions practices and

lessened maternal rates for women in need of abortion services, as well as enhanced their

reproductive health.

Topic: Legalizing Abortion in Philadelphia

Historical Background

In the midst of the contemporary debate as to whether abortion should be legal or

not, a historical overview lends insight into the controversial subject of abortion. Study

shows that legalization of abortion is not a new aspect but a controversy surrounding the

moral, legal and religious matters (Richards 344). Abortion debate dates back to the 19th

century when anti-abortion laws and many cases began to appear in the U.S courts. The

root cause behind this issue evolves from the health concerns regarding the dangers of

illegal abortions, emancipation right movements, advanced medical technology,

overpopulation concerns, and social change. In 1821, Connecticut law targeting

apothecaries who sold poisonous substances to help women carry abortion led to the

establishment of laws that perceived this issue as a felony (Haney 34). However, it

became legal in all states in the U.S after the 1973 landmark verdict on abortion case

involving Roes v. Wade in the U.S Supreme Court (Haney 32). The Pennsylvania state

passed the Abortion Control Act in 1989 but the Supreme Court held it until 1994 when it

became apparent after the Planned Parenthood v. Casey case (PA Pro-Life Federation

2019). Since then, the provocative issue surrounding this subject has generated vast

literature that spans from diverse disciplines.

Significance of the Study

Symmetries that evolves from the analysis of this topic on either the pro-life and

prochoice side can explain why the arguments on abortion are imperative. Understanding

the abortion issue of great importance since this is a social problem, which affects not

only women but also their loved ones. It is a painful topic for women and their partners

who find themselves in this situation. As such, careful consideration of this subject is

vital due to the diverse implications it poses in society. First, it is an important study

because it can help the government, policymakers and concerned stakeholders to

establish effective policies concerning women reproductive rights. Secondly, it can also

help women to make informed and right decisions regarding their health choices. Lastly,

it can inform health care practitioners to consider pro-life and pro-choice issues; thus

deliver better services that benefit everyone in the society.

Those Affected and how they are affected

The abortion debate is a topic of concern that affects everyone in contemporary

society. The affected people include the government, policymakers, healthcare providers,

men, and women and their loved ones, as well as the concerned stakeholders. However,

this problem affects them in different ways. First, it affects women mostly by

contributing to the potential side effect in case of unsafe abortion practices. As a result,

this may lead to emotional and physical health-related issues, which can ultimately pose

health risks or even cause death. Besides, society should be aware that most of the

women who seek abortion services are young teenage girls or those that are already

mothers. Hence, the abortion process will not only affect them but also their families,

spouses or partners. The problem can also pose negative implications to the health care

providers since they are the major practitioners of abortion services. Hence, in case of

abortion remain legal in the state, nurses and doctors are likely to have confidence in

offering women safe services. In case it is illegal, it might threaten their health care

provider services. Thus, they might face law cases and even revocation of their

professional license. Nonetheless, this issue also affects the government and

policymakers since they play an oversight role in the welfare of citizens. The policy

makers formulate health and public-related policies effective in the transformation of the

healthcare sector. Thus, the failure to implement policies that meets the demanding needs

of citizens can pose socio-economic implications in the state.

Basic Terms and Concepts

Some of the simple key terms and/or concepts that one need to familiarize with

for easy understanding of the research topic include;

⚫ Pro-life. It simply means opposing or being against the act of abortion.

⚫ Pro-choice. It all about supporting or advocating the rights of the women in making

their own decision on whether they can abort or not.

⚫ Fetus. It is a common term widely used in abortion legal cases and it refers to an

unborn child that is still in the embryonic development stage

⚫ Informed consent. It a concept frequently employed in healthcare and it simply

means being conscious. It refers to the right of being aware or having the knowledge

or the right information before making health decisions.

Expert Analysis

Different experts have attempted to present an in-depth analysis of the issue of

legalization abortion and have come up with different views concerning this topic. Since

abortion is a controversial aspect surrounding legal, ethical/moral and religious matter, it

has influenced experts from all these areas. The concerned experts, in this case, include

policymakers, political analysts, lawmakers, religious leaders, healthcare professionals

and interested researchers or scholars who are well conversant in this research field.

Although abortion is still legal in Philadelphia, it has raised many questions as to whether

this is morally right or wrong; thus, this study provides a comprehensive analysis from

different experts trying to answer the questions arising from the abortion debate.

Moreover, various experts have made considerable efforts to present their views

regarding the legalization of abortion. First, the theoretical approach underpinning

abortion debate arises from the recent health care transformation in America. The health

care has undergone remarkable change due to advancement in technology; thereby,

leading to the new policies that focus on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) otherwise

known as the Obamacare (Rolnick and John 348). As society continues to become

advanced, new changes in the healthcare system, especially abortion policies are also

taking place. Scholars focusing on the increasing accessibility to abortion recommend