Why is Abortion Sociologically Significant?
Does society have the right to tell a woman what she can or cannot do with her own body and her own rights? This question has been stirring around emotions and has caused many debates and it still remains unanswered. This question also brings up other unanswered questions such as: "Does the social order have the right to compel her to have an unwanted child?, If society does have this right over the individual woman, should it be enforced by criminal process?"
Legally, states allow abortions and allow the mother the right to choose whether or not she wishes to have an unwanted child. Sociologically, however, many people have a hard time grasping the ethical issues this causes and many still frown upon this topic. It is still uncertain why society has such a hold on an individual's rights when these decisions made by a woman rarely effect those who oppose it.
Legally, states allow abortions and allow the mother the right to choose whether or not she wishes to have an unwanted child. Sociologically, however, many people have a hard time grasping the ethical issues this causes and many still frown upon this topic. It is still uncertain why society has such a hold on an individual's rights when these decisions made by a woman rarely effect those who oppose it.
How Does Abortion Pertain to Feminism?
Feminists saw laws criminalizing abortion as denying women’s “dignity”, depriving women of control over their sexual and family lives, and denying women the ability to combine sex and family with education, work, and public life—as
men do." The long rumored idea that men use sex to overpower women is still floating around and is stronger than ever now that women are gaining their voice and standing up for themselves. In the event that a woman is rapped and is impregnated by a rapist, it is as if the man continues to have power over the woman, even after the sexual act is over, because some women are forced to keep the baby due to the social implications and other laws that may be in effect.
men do." The long rumored idea that men use sex to overpower women is still floating around and is stronger than ever now that women are gaining their voice and standing up for themselves. In the event that a woman is rapped and is impregnated by a rapist, it is as if the man continues to have power over the woman, even after the sexual act is over, because some women are forced to keep the baby due to the social implications and other laws that may be in effect.
How Does Race, Age, and Marital Status Effect the Rates of Abortion?
According to a study done in 2007, women aged 20-24 are more likely to get an abortion. One of the main causes of this may be due to the fact that they are starting out their lives and trying to get their career off of the ground and they feel as if a child may hinder their ability to follow through with that dream.
It was also noted in the chart on the previous page that caucasians received more induced abortions than did any other race; they accounted for approximately 66,800. Meanwhile, African American women accounted for approximately 44,000. This difference may be due to the fact that religion may play a larger role in the African American community than it does in the caucasian community.
As for marital status, women who were not married accounted for the majority of abortions that took place in 2007. With approximately 110,000 of the abortions that took place in 2007, the unmarried women accounted for a much larger portion than those that were married. This may be due to the fact that those that are unmarried have a weakened support system and they often find that they will have to go through this pregnancy alone. Many women fear this possible outcome, so they opt for abortion to alleviate any possibility of this happening.
It was also noted in the chart on the previous page that caucasians received more induced abortions than did any other race; they accounted for approximately 66,800. Meanwhile, African American women accounted for approximately 44,000. This difference may be due to the fact that religion may play a larger role in the African American community than it does in the caucasian community.
As for marital status, women who were not married accounted for the majority of abortions that took place in 2007. With approximately 110,000 of the abortions that took place in 2007, the unmarried women accounted for a much larger portion than those that were married. This may be due to the fact that those that are unmarried have a weakened support system and they often find that they will have to go through this pregnancy alone. Many women fear this possible outcome, so they opt for abortion to alleviate any possibility of this happening.