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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
