Discussion #3: Roe v. Wade and Women’s Reproductive RightsNo unread replies.No replies.
Image Description: Norma McCorvey, left, who was Jane Roe in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case, with her attorney, Gloria Allred, outside the Supreme Court in April 1989, where the Court heard arguments in a case that could have overturned the Roe v. Wade decision. (Wikicommons) (Links to an external site.)
Introduction: The Roe v. Wade case (Links to an external site.) is one of the most controversial and divisive SCOTUS decisions in American history yet very few Americans know the history and arguments to the case other than it confirmed women’s right to have access to an abortion. The decision was celebrated as a major victory by feminist groups (National Organization of Women) but became weaponize by religious conservatives to build a political coalition (the moral right) to lobby and push for states and the federal government to place restrictions on abortion clinics and appoint conservative judges to the Supreme Court to ultimately overturn it. Those who support Roe v. Wade argue that it is important for women to have access to abortion clinics for medical safety and by controlling their reproduction, women can pursue their economic goals and decide when is right to have children on their terms. Those who opposite Roe v. Wade argue a fetus has the right to life and forcing businesses to provide contraceptives for female employees (under Obamacare) is a violation of their religious freedoms. The last decade, state laws requiring abortion clinics to have “admitting privileges” (Links to an external site.) to hospitals causing many to shut down and states such as Ohio have passed what is known as a “heartbeat bill” (Links to an external site.) to shift the timeline as to when a woman cannot get an abortion. In 2019, Louisiana outright banned abortion (Links to an external site.) regardless of rape or incest, and that ban is currently being challenged in the courts. So where do you stand on this topic of abortion?
Review Assigned Readings:To familiarize you with the topic of abortion, we will use The Facts on Files: Issues and Controversies database available through the Mission Library website (same login as Canvas) so please visit and review the assigned sources below:
“Issue Overview: Abortion.” Issues