The Controversial Life Issue essays

The Controversial Life Issue essays Abortion is one of the most divisive issues in contemporary US history, perhaps even more so than homosexuality. (Ethics) No matter how a person may look at the situation they are either Pro-Life or Pro-Choice, unless they have mixed, or partial, feelings. Even if you have no preference, you are considered Pro-Choice! As we have left the 20th Century, the abortion statistics have risen and so has dissension, however, Pro-Choice should be the main standing among US citizens as we look at our rankings. In 54 countries, including the US, abortions are legal and in 97 countries, abortions are illegal. Each year there are 46 million abortions conducted through out the world. (Statistics) In the United States alone there are around 1,370,000 abortions practiced annually, according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute. Abortions have risen significantly in the last few years. In 2001, there were 1.31 million abortions in the US alone. When we look at the age factor of women who received these abortions, 52% were younger than 25 years old and 19% were teenagers. The abortion rate is highest for those women aged 18 to 19. (Statistics) So how does someone know if they are Pro-Life, Pro-Choice, or in between? As for being Pro-Life, the person believes that as of conception the embryo or fetus is alive and should not be killed, or in other words have an abortion. (Pro) It is equally heinous intentionally to kill a human being in existence at fertilization, as to kill a larger pre-born child. (Abortion) If a person chooses to be Pro-Choice, they believe that a womans body is her responsibility and she should make her own choices without government interference, except for maybe age. (Pro) Reproductive freedom-the fundamental right of every individual to decide freely and responsibly when and whether to have a child-is a reaffirmation of the principle of individual liberty cherished by most people world...