US Abortion Law: What You Need to Know
Abortion has been a hot topic in the news lately. With the introduction of the Democratic Socialists of America’s “Abortion and Socialism” resolution at their annual convention, the conversation on abortion and the legality of it has been amplified. However, this is not the first time this topic has been brought up.
Throughout history, people have been debating and disagreeing on the legality of abortion. The question of whether or not abortion is a right, and if it should be legal, is still debated today. In this guide, we’ll explain the history of abortion, the legality of abortion in the United States, and what you can do to help end the stigma surrounding the procedure.
What is abortion?
Abortion is the premature termination of a pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilized ovum (the female reproductive cell) is either removed before itsids have developed into a fetus, or when the fetus is not yet viable (capable of independent existence) and the external environment is sufficient to prevent the fetus’s survival.
Abortion is most often used as a means of birth control. It is rarely used as a method of birth selection, as the fetus is generally considered to be a potential human being until the fetus is viable. The first use of an abortifacient was recorded in China around 4000 BC. Currently, there are a variety of methods and drugs that can be used to induce an abortion.
The History of Abortion
Although the exact reason for the invention of abortion is unknown, many scholars posit that the development of medicine and science allowed for a greater understanding of fetal development and allowed for advancements in medical procedures to be made.
Around 4000 BC, the first recorded use of an “abortion” occurred in China. From there, abortion spread to the rest of the world. In ancient Rome, abortion was thought to be a sin punishable by death. The same was true for early Christians:
the Roman Empire criminalized abortions in the first century, and the Christian Church eventually endorsed the suppression of abortion in the early Middle Ages due to the high number of unwanted pregnancies. By the 18th century, however, attitudes towards abortion had shifted again, as the “social improvement of the species” was more valued than the preservation of the “natural order.”
Is Abortion Legal in the United States?
While the legality of abortion varies from state to state, the majority of American states allow for abortions to be performed in cases of rape, incest, or danger to the woman’s life. In a few states, however, abortion is completely illegal. In many parts of the U.S., abortion is only legal to save the life of the mother.
In the 2002 “Gonzales v. Carhart” Supreme Court case, the Court ruled that a federal ban on late-term abortion violated the Fifth Amendment right to “due process” of law, meaning that the ban could no longer be enforced.
Why is Abortion Illegal in the United States?
Though the legality of abortion varies from state to state, most of the time it’s legal because it’s considered a medical procedure. Therefore, there’s usually a reason why it’s not legal. The Supreme Court case “Roe v. Wade”, which legalized abortion nationwide, did not discuss the morality of the procedure.
The Court, instead, concluded that the Constitution does not prohibit a state from outlawing abortion—as long as it doesn’t impose criminal penalties on women who undergo the procedure. In the majority opinion in “Roe v. Wade,” Justice Harry Blackmun wrote that it was “not necessary for the Court to decide whether, in principle, it is ever permissible to restrict a woman’s freedom of choice with respect to the termination of her pregnancy.”
How does the Law Influence Abortion?
The legality of abortion in the United States is influenced by a variety of factors, including public opinion, court cases, and social attitudes. In the past, when abortion was illegal, it was often unsafe, making it difficult to obtain. This was especially true in the early years of the procedure, when the technology to safely induce an abortion was not fully developed.
More recently, the law has played a role in regulating abortion clinics and improving the quality of care provided to patients. In the past, many attempts to improve the safety of abortion were stifled by the stigma surrounding the procedure.
In the mid-20th century, for instance, the American Public Health Association lobbied for mandatory hospital prenatal care and better maternal health care to decrease the number of women dying from pregnancy-related causes. Many of the same concerns that prompted improved care also prompted the development of modern methods of safe abortion.
How much does abortion cost in the US?
The cost of an abortion depends on factors like where the procedure is performed and the type of procedure used. Abortion care is a significant financial burden for many women because most states do not cover the cost of an abortion.
In addition to paying out-of-pocket for the procedure, many women will have to travel a significant distance to obtain an abortion. The cost of an abortion can vary widely depending on a woman’s location, her insurance coverage, how long she has to wait, and how complicated the procedure is. In 2018, the average cost of an abortion was $475.
Should abortion be legal?
Many people believe that abortion should be legal because it is generally safe and can be obtained by any woman who needs one. Despite the extremely high cost of the procedure, many people believe that abortion should remain legal because it is a personal decision that should not be dictated by the government.
In the United States, however, more than 40% of pregnancies are unintended, and women are more likely to need an abortion than men. A woman’s right to choose is not only a personal decision, but also one related to public health.
When a woman has a child, she has a significant financial and emotional burden to bear. This makes it more likely that the mother will need government assistance, which is why abortion is legal.
What are the Different Types of Abortion?
There are many different types of abortion, although the most common procedure performed by doctors is a D&X (dilation and evacuation) abortion, in which the fetus is removed through the womb while it is still attached to the umbilical cord. While a D&X procedure is the most common, it is not the only type of abortion.
How Many Abortions are Performed in the United States Every Year?
The number of abortions performed in the United States every year is unknown. This statistic is likely underreported, as many women do not file a report after a D&X abortion. As of 2017, there were 1.21 million abortions performed in the country every year. The majority of abortions were performed on women between the ages of 15 and 44, while the percentage of abortions performed on teenagers (women under 18) decreased significantly.
