What are opinions about whether Roe v. Wade should be overturned?

Answer 1

One man's opinion

This is a hot question that can only be answered in the form of opinion. I personally believe that life begins at conception, therefore abortion is murder and Roe vs Wade should be overturned. I do not believe that there are exceptions, abortion is wrong. This is my opinion and is based on my beliefs and is no better than anyone else's.

A Woman's View

And now for a woman's perspective. I believe Roe V Wade should be upheld. Mainly because no one else should be able to tell a female of child bearing age what she must do with her body. That is akin to holding her in slavery for a period of time. And I know people will say if she didn't want to get pregnant she shouldn't have had sex, but that is a ridiculous statement based in religious beliefs not based in science. We humans are sexual beings. We sometimes get pregnant when we don't want to or didn't plan on it. The assertions that it is murder is not something I agree with at all. That embryo/fetus is not viable or able to live on it's own. It depends on the body of the woman for it's survival. Once born is another story.

The choice to have an abortion is rarely an easy choice for anyone, but it is a choice that should be available because it does directly affect the body, life and health of the pregnant female. Very few, if any, women use abortion as a means of Birth Control. Accidental pregnancies do occur. A pregnancy takes a significant period of time, changes a woman's health and body and ends with either a child to care for or a heart wrenching decision to give a child up for adoption. I have heard from many of those who did choose adoption that they have been wracked with guilt and the agony of never knowing the child they gave up. They watch faces of children around the right age, wondering is this my child? I know that many on the anti-choice side say that many women are wracked with guilt after having an abortion. I cannot say they don't feel that way. I have not met any of those women, but I have met some who gave up a child for adoption.

Abortion is a medical procedure. I, and many others, don't believe a medical decision should have the government or religions involved in it. If it isn't their body they shouldn't have a right to make the decision. I do support making abortions less frequent with more birth control available and affordable. Family planning is a great way to cut down the demand for abortions. Birth control is expensive and not always available to all females of child bearing age. Make it easier to get a variety of birth control and abortions will be reduced. It is one of life's ironies, getting Viagra or another drug for E.D. is easier and cheaper than getting the birth control that can prevent the pregnancy that may occur when the Viagra works. Hmm.

Another Opinion

The decision in Roe stated that abortion was a fundamental right; nobody should tell a person what they must and must not do with their body, subject to the usual public concern ideas. They further determined that an abortion should be permitted, until such time as the foetus was viable - viable meaning able to live independently of its mother, albeit with medical aid if necessary. This decision is an ideal middle ground. If the child couldn't live on its own, then can it be said to have its own life or is its life tied to the mother's? This author believes that at this point in development, it is as much a part of the mother as her arm or brain or liver, and thus it should be her decision as to whether she wishes to keep this part or not.

However, beyond this point and at the time it would be viable, it should be considered as a separate person, without regard to the fact it lives within another person. It is now a separate identity and allowing abortion at that stage is justifiably compared to murder: the deliberate ending of another human life, life that could have continued whether you were there or not. Additionally, by this point you have carried it for at least 6 months; even if you were not aware of it for a month after conception, you had 5 months to decide what to do and didn't want to make the choice, so you wouldn't really expect to make it now.

Given these positions and how they accomodate both moral and technical standpoints, the decision in Roe should be allowed to stand: if it could live on its own, let it; if it is just another part of you, it is your choice what to do with it.

Answer 2

Opinions on whether Roe v. Wade should be overturned vary greatly. Proponents of overturning argue for the protection of fetal life and the belief that the decision should be left to individual states. Those against overturning argue for the right to access safe and legal abortion, viewing it as a matter of reproductive rights and bodily autonomy. Ultimately, this is a highly contentious and complex issue with deeply held beliefs on both sides.