The Argument Over Birth Control and Abortion

    Although my opinion is not expressed in this post towards abortion, it is inevitable to recognize the constant arguments that surround and criticize abortion and even contraception. Some of these opinions take into account religion, past influences, and politics. Some say the impact of restricting women from these choices removes their rights, and is also not understood by man. Additionally, some believe that if men were in this position, their freedom of choice about their bodies would be unquestionable. 
      

Planned Parenting Propaganda
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        Margaret Sanger, considered the Mother of Birth control, is seen to the right in a video of an interview she had with Mike Wallace in 1957. Her strategy to allow the choice up to women in regards of abortion and birth control began with challenging the Anthony Comstock laws in court, which forbid the distribution and information about contraceptives. She studied birth control methods and produced the first family planning pamphlet that shared her findings, although it was quite illegal. As a nurse, she opened the first American birth control clinic in 1916 in Brooklyn after observing the outstanding number of women who requested contraception. However, the New York City Vice Squad raided and closed the building, all while putting Sanger in jail. She was a strongly hated woman by some people at the time proven through trials, harassment, and raids, but she continued to gain pubic appreciation. In 1952, a national birth control conference was held by American supporters of Sanger's efforts, as well as Albert Einstein. Today, this group has continued through generations and is called the International Planned Parenthood Association. She argued that although her fight was for the rights of women to control their fertility and the right of parents to be free of crises of unwanted pregnancy, these rights would also give every child the right to be wanted. She received the Medal of Achievement of the American Women's Association in 1931. (Wardell, Dorothy)

      The Sachs case was one of the most influential and motivating in Margaret Sanger's life. She was called once 28 year old Mrs. Sachs was found dead on a floor from blood poisoning after a self-induced abortion. Previously, she went to her doctor for help; their conversation described by Sanger read: "The pale and grave Mrs. Sachs asked, 'Another baby will finish me, I suppose? ' The doctor strongly agreed, 'Any more capers, young
woman, and there'll be no need to send for me.' 'I know, doctor.' she replied timidly, 'but . . . what can I do to prevent it?' The doctor retorted. 'You want to have your cake and eat it too. do you? . . . Tell Jake to sleep on the roof.'" This story brought a haunting realization to many people: if contraception was not offered, women's health may be in danger in some cases and pregnancy may lead to accidental self injury. If abortion was not offered to the public, women may come to extreme cases to take it into their own hands such as Mrs. Sachs did. She believed limiting the family size would prevent poverty and unhealthy families if the children were unwanted. (Wardell, Dorothy) 

      There are still many arguments about abortion and contraception today. Many pro-life

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activists believe that abortion is murder and unconstitutional because even though the embryo is in the womb, it is still considered another human. Aside from this, abortions may be emotionally damaging to women as many report depression after the abortion. Since women are given the ability to produce children, many believe that abortions abuse this blessing and is injuring womanhood more than the lack of choice would. There have been a total of 45 million legal abortions from 1973 to 2005, proposing the question of whether abortions are becoming abused among lack of responsibility. (Wagner, Rich) Pro-choice activists support Sanger's opinion that women should have the right to make choices for their own bodies, and that abortion if given at the right time period, is not murder as the baby is not far in formation yet. However, a study in Canada concluded that 1,270 babies died after botched abortions, and 491 babies were born alive after failed abortions, although the study did not detail if the babies' health was affected. (Ertelt, Steven) The topic of abortion will never be decided on as many have strong opinions. Aside from this, there has been an immense amount of protesting, harassment of women, and vandalizing of clinics where law passing was necessary to protect patients. Some believe that adoption can relieve this issue, while others believe that abortion will lower overpopulation, poverty, and poor family relation rates.

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      Although contraception is more accepted than abortion in society in most cases, many religions still refrain from the use and support as they believe that conception is a natural process that should not be stopped or that sexual relation should only occur between two people who want a child. A recent and popular case involved the store Hobby Lobby. The store owners are religious people who do not believe in abortion or contraception. Although Obama signed legislation to eliminate government financial support of abortions which is now left to the parents, the store owners did not want the healthcare provided through their business to support abortion and contraception for the employees. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that employers will not be required to provide healthcare for practices of this sort if they are against their religious beliefs. (Dockterman, Eliana)

Sources:

Dockterman, Eliana. "5 Things Women Need To Know About The Hobby Lobby Ruling." Time.Com (2014): 1. Business Source Premier. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.

Ertelt, Steven. "1,270 Babies Born Alive After Failed Abortions in the U.S." LifeNews.com. N.p., 5 Apr. 2013. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.

Rich Wagner, Alex K. Geraldine. "Abortion Debate." Salem Press Encyclopedia (2013): Research Starters. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.

Wardell, Dorothy. "Margaret Sanger: Birth Control's Successful Revolutionary." American Journal Of Public Health 70.7 (1980): 736. Business Source Premier. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.