Disclaimer: Prior to the Coronavirus situation, there were four members of this group. Unfortunately, due to the situation, two members dropped out of doing the project and the others were not informed until very late of the process. Therefore, the topics covered in this project are a very limited view of the potential project had all four members contributed. The two topics covered are not integrated with each other as due to the situation, topics decided were done early on in the project time space and lack of communication meant that more topics could not be decided on. Topics that were meant to be covered yet do not appear in this project include:

  • A deeper focus on anti-abortion stances in America.
  • More focus on individual laws in the American judicial system.
  • More focus on a direct pro/anti-abortion stance in the United States, in relation to the laws mentioned in the previous bullet point.

 

As mentioned, topics were divided up amongst members of the group at the start of discussions and so there was not more topics included.

 

Abortion in America is heavily politicised issue. The topic of abortion is rooted in the heavily religious politics of the United States of America. The landmark court case of 1973 Roe v. Wade made history not only for healthcare in America, but women’s rights. The topic continues to divide society in America however, further topics reiterate the issue of abortion. One example of this, is the high levels of inequality which is highlighted by the issue of abortion rights in America. David L. Cowen highlighted this in his journal article Pharmacy in History[i] that “Anti-abortion statutes and the increasing availability of contraceptive knowledge to the middle class caused a decline in the rate of abortion and a change in those who resorted to abortion. It was again the poor, the socially desperate and the unwed who became the main clientele of the abortionist.”[ii] This quote shows that knowledge and education supporting the use of birth control, and subsequently abortion, was more accessible to those of the middle class and disadvantaged those who were not as fortunate to have access to this education and these facilities.

Rally for Legislative Rights.

Activists march for Legislative on Reproductive Rights.

 

Differing States

Furthermore, due to the political system in America, different states have different legislature in regard to abortion laws. Data that is presented by ANSIRH shows that in America, there are twenty-seven “abortion deserts”[iii] which means that in these places, residents have to travel one hundred miles in order to access an abortion facility.[iv] This is severely disadvantageous to people that cannot afford to travel or take time off work to make time to travel. As states can have different legislation to each other due to the American political system, there are six states – Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and West Virginia[v] – in the Unites States which offer one only medical clinic with abortion facilities in the entire state. This again disadvantages people who cannot afford to travel to these facilities.

 

Politician’s Views

 

The political system in America, like any, hires politicians who can controversially have views which seriously endanger women’s rights to birth control and abortions. One example out of many is the example of Supreme Court judge Neil Gorsuch. Gorsuch “argued in favour of letting bosses deny their employees birth control coverage.”[vi] This directly targets women and their healthcare, but also disrespects the decades long battles which activists have fought in order for women to have these rights. Not only do these views disrespect women’s rights, but they also pose a threat to women’s rights over their own body and fertility.

 

Overall, the stance on abortion in the United States seriously highlights the levels of inequality in America and how this affects not only women’s rights, but healthcare in general. It recognises that certain groups in society are extremely disadvantaged when it comes to the accessibility of healthcare, in particular the access to a safe, affordable abortion which is vital to women’s rights to control their own bodies and fertility.

 

Bibliography:

 

 

 

  • Cowen, David L., ‘Abortion’, Pharmacy in History, vol, 22, no 2, (1980), pp.80-81.

 

 

[i] David L., Cowen, ‘Abortion’, Pharmacy in History, vol, 22, no 2, (1980), pp.80-81.

[ii] Ibid, p. 80

[iii] ANSIRH, ‘Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health’, < https://www.ansirh.org/sites/default/files/publications/files/abortion_deserts_infographic_final.pdf > , [accessed 6th April 2020]

[iv] Ibid.

[v] Holly, Yan, ‘These 6 states have only 1 abortion clinic left. Missouri could become the first with zero.’, (June 21, 2019) < https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/29/health/six-states-with-1-abortion-clinic-map-trnd/index.html >, [accessed 5thApril 2020]

[vi] Miriam, Berg, ‘Everything You Need to Know About Supreme Court Nominee Neil Gorsuch if You Care About Reproductive Rights’, (March 2017) , < https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-supreme-court-nominee-neil-gorsuch-if-you-care-about-reproductive-rights > [accessed 6th April 2020]

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