Women have carried out abortions for centuries. No matter the situation, abortion has been frowned upon by many, including conservative individuals. As of recent news, Texas, a conservative bible belt state, has declared a new abortion ban. The new law in Texas has sparked controversy because it forces people to sue those involved in performing abortions. This law has made abortions illegal after six weeks, which is before most women find out they are with a child. Although abortions have been considered a topic of debate and controversy for years, the decisions of individuals who decide to ban abortions jeopardize many women.
The new Texas abortion ban may be considered to be against the 14th amendment. The 14th amendment states the right to privacy should apply to women and how they decide to do with their bodies. A well-known case known as Roe v Wade, which took place in 1973, challenged a texas law that made abortions illegal, with the exception that a professional health physician deemed abortion to be necessary to save the life of the pregnant individual. Roe v Wade stated that the state cannot dictate a pregnancy during the first trimester of the pregnancy; only the mother and healthcare physician are allowed. The texas ban makes abortion after six weeks illegal, which is during the first trimester.
With the new Texas ban taking effect, this can cause harm to many women considering abortion, because women will carry out unsafe abortions. Abortions have been performed for centuries, so there are many techniques women have found over the years to have an abortion. Even if Texas makes them illegal, abortions will still take place; just in an unsafe manner. Women can die from these harmful procedures if they are done incorrectly, and sometimes these abortions still do not work.
Mental health can take a heavy toll on people. A woman’s mental health can impact her abortion decision. Raising a human is a lifelong responsibility, and if a person feels as if they are not ready to raise someone, then they should be given that option. Many people suffer from mental health issues, including pregnant women. However, Texas law does not offer this option for women anymore.
Financial status is a factor women consider when deciding on the termination of a pregnancy. Women from low-income areas, who are not married, as well as unemployed, are more likely to decide on getting an abortion. Having a child in a hospital can be very expensive, and medical bills can range from $5,000 to $10,000. For a woman, who may already have children, that brings in a low income, giving birth can be stressful because of financial factors. The Texas abortion ban stresses women even more because they are not given a choice and have to spend money they may not have, on an unsafe abortion or a child. One of my high school friends told me that she was scared about having a baby because she was young and did not have a job. She decided on keeping her baby but had to sacrifice her teenage years to work and save up money for her child.
The Texas law fails to consider women and young girls who experience assault that results in them being impregnated. Women, especially children, should not have to be expected to raise a child they did not ask for, especially after a traumatic event such as sexual harassment. A 13-year-old girl was abused by her grandfather and was impregnated. She traveled to Texas to have an abortion, but due to Texas law, she was not able to get an abortion. This child is now expected to raise another child because of someone else’s actions, and the law refuses to do anything for this girl, and many other young girls who experience rape and abuse.
Men are usually a majority of senators and representatives in Congress. How can a man decide for a woman’s body, if they have never experienced what it is like to be a woman? In America and many parts of the world, patriarchy is a visible system among households. The patriarchy, which is a system that excludes women from having power, is also visible in the United States government. Men do not understand what women go through during pregnancy, yet time after time, the result has always been men debating on how to control a woman’s body; the Texas abortion law is not excluded from this.
After pregnancy, women’s bodies go through changes. Postpartum depression is a common symptom women face after pregnancy. Postpartum depression symptoms are intense and include crying or anxiety after a woman has given birth. Furthermore, after nine months of carrying a baby, a woman’s body takes time to regenerate to what it was before pregnancy. Stretch marks are common after pregnancy, and many women, myself included, can be incredibly insecure about stretch marks. If a woman has previously given birth and has faced postpartum depression or insecurities, they may not want to have another child. Women should be allowed to have an abortion if they feel as though their bodies cannot handle another pregnancy. Sometimes pregnancy can be tiresome for a woman, and women should not be expected to go through emotions they do not want to experience.
Abortions are so important because of how many people it affects. Factors such as financial status and mental health should be considered before placing a law on abortion. The Texas law fails to realize these factors, including abuse. Women should not have to suffer the consequences of someone else’s actions. The Texas law also puts women in danger, because not only can they be sued for having an abortion, but women can decide on an unsafe abortion that could result in a fatal injury. The Texas law is a dangerous ban that affects more people than Texas realizes.
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