Women’s rights and abortion go back to the early days of America. Please read the attached document below concerning the details of that history.

The U. S. Supreme Court recently overturned a previous ruling that allowed abortion. This ruling was in place for fifty years, and its removal threw the abortion decisions back to fifty states. The negatives are that we will have fifty different hodge-podge laws with confusing outcomes and abortions will return to the back room, and untrained providers. In this reflection, consider your ethical stance on abortion. Write a one-page document in which you decide where you stand.

Women’s Rights iu America-A Short History

Michael S. Smith

The history of abortion rights in America is a complex and controversial topic that has seen significant changes over time. The struggle for women’s reproductive rights and access to safe and legal abortions has involved legal battles, political activism, and shifting public opinions. Let’s explore the key milestones and developments in the history of abortion rights in America.

Early Colonial Era: Abortion was generally permitted in early colonial America prior to “quickening” (the moment a woman feels fetal movement). Common law traditions from England did not consider abortion a crime until after quickening. However, there were societal and religious disapprovals of abortion.

Mid-19th Century: By the mid-1800s, a growing movement to criminalize abortion emerged. States began passing laws that either completely banned abortion or restricted it after quickening, driven by concerns over public morality, the rise of the medical profession, and fears of a declining birth rate among native-born Americans.

Late 19th Century: By the end of the 19th century, all states had passed laws criminalizing abortion, except when necessary to save the life of the woman. Abortion became a covert and unsafe practice, often performed by untrained individuals, posing serious health risks to women.

Early 20th Century: The early 20th century witnessed a rise in women’s suffrage and feminist movements, which included discussions around reproductive rights. In the 1920s, several professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, started advocating for the legalization of abortion to protect women’s health.

Roe v. Wade : A significant turning point came in 1973 with the landmark Supreme Court case, Roe v. Wade. The court ruled that a woman has a constitutional right to privacy, which includes the right to have an abortion. However, the court also established a framework allowing states to regulate abortion in certain circumstances during the second and third trimesters.

Subsequent Legal Challenges: Following Roe v. Wade, there have been numerous legal challenges and attempts to restrict abortion rights. These included the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey, where the Supreme Court upheld the core principles of Roe but allowed states to impose restrictions as long as they did not pose an “undue burden” on a woman’s right to choose.

State-Level Legislation: Since the 1990s, there has been a significant increase in state-level legislation attempting to regulate abortion, such as mandatory waiting periods, parental consent laws, and stricter clinic regulations. Some states have passed laws aiming to severely restrict access to abortion, leading to ongoing legal battles and debates.

Public Opinion and Activism: Abortion remains a deeply divisive issue in American society, with public opinion varying widely. Pro-choice and pro-life advocacy groups continue to actively engage in political and legal battles to shape abortion policies. The issue of abortion rights has been a prominent topic in presidential elections and has often influenced the composition of the Supreme Court.

It’s important to note that discussions around abortion rights remain highly contentious, and opinions on the subject can differ significantly depending on personal, religious, and political beliefs. The history of abortion rights in America reflects the ongoing struggle to balance women’s autonomy, public health concerns, and societal moral and religious perspectives