Abortion- Pro Choice or Pro Life?

Today in the 21st century, federalism is clearly still an issue in the United States. There are many issues that question rights between the state and federal government. Among these issues that are most popular is Abortion. For the past few decades now Abortion has been a very controversial issue, between people who believe woman should have a free choice to have an abortion, and people who believe in pro-life. Regardless, the federal government has concluded that an abortion can be carried out if the state government approves of it. This issue is legal and illegal in different areas of the United States, which has caused a huge controversy between people who support abortion, and people who wish it was abolished.

Before abortion, a couple's decision for contraception to prevent pregnancy was an issue that I believe eventually effected the right to have an abortion, and is therefore important to discuss. In 1965, the case of Griswold v. Connecticut challenged a state law prohibiting the use of birth control devices, even by married couples. Griswold, an executive director of the Planned Parenthood league, distributed information, instruction, and other medical advice to married couples concerning birth control. The Supreme Court ruled that the state had no right to interfere with a married couple's decision regarding contraception. The court based its decision on the Bill of Rights, saying Americans have the right of privacy.

I believe this case is the beginning of the idea that women should have the right to privacy, whether it is to get pregnant, and to even decide whether or not she wants the child once she is. This case leads up to the most significant historical event relating to Abortion, a landmark United States Supreme Court case in 1971, called Roe v. Wade. The results of this case have been debated for decades, and still are today. The primary argument of this case is whether it should be legal or not to terminate pregnancies. The outcome of this case was that all laws against abortion violate a constitutional right to privacy, which overturned state laws outlawing abortion. The people against abortion believe that the text in the Constitution isn't accurate enough to support the right to privacy, and therefore kill a human life. Supporters of abortion believe it is right to preserve women's equality and their personal freedom. In the past years anti-abortion activists have attempted to reverse the Court's decision or create a constitutional amendment to ban abortions, but have been unsuccessful.

The outcome of this case has shaped the laws on abortion in the United States today. The federal government has declared that abortion is not unconstitutional, and has allowed it to be handled by the states. This has created a strong division between the democratic and republican parties. In general, democratic states favor abortion, while republican majority states do not. Therefore, states against abortion have the ability to put strict laws on whether or not a woman can have one. This continues to be a major issue throughout the country. For example, if a woman was to get pregnant and want an abortion, but it was not legal anywhere near her, and she could not afford to travel to get one, she would be forced to have the child. Meanwhile, a woman who lives in a state that allows abortion, has the convenience to get it done. To me, this is unfair. All woman should have the same right, no matter where the live in the United States. Another example is if a woman gets raped but does not have the access to abortion because of a state law, why should a woman who carelessly got pregnant have anymore of a right to an abortion than a woman who was unwillingly made pregnant?

I believe federalism will continue to be an issue relating to abortion. The constitution should not be interpreted any different now than it has been in the past. If a woman has a right to privacy, she should be allowed to have an abortion if she so desires. However, as long as some states allow it and others don't, there will always be a conflict between the rights of the state and federal government.