Reproductive Choice

Reproductive “rights” and reproductive choice exist as extremely controversial subjects across the world, but particularly in the United States. While undoubtedly an issue that extends itself with personal and oftentimes moral implications, the subject of reproductive choice also remains an issue highly influenced by government legislation, religion, and outside opinion.

            To commence, one should examine the issue of abortion, which is a fundamental aspect of reproductive choice. Unsurprisingly, the government holds a significant influence on abortion procedures in the United States. Abortion laws and their stringency vary depending on the state. For example, abortion laws in conservative states like Texas remain some of the strictest in the country, whereas more liberal states like New York possess simpler abortion laws with less regulations. Thus, state government holds a power over reproductive choice in that tolerance for reproductive choice items like abortion varies depending on the region, which in turn affects the accessibility of such “choice” items.

            Like government, religion influences reproductive choices in America as well. For example, many religious groups, such as Christians, believe that killing the unborn is morally wrong and offensive. However, to assert that religious groups exist as the only opponents of reproductive choice is untrue. Many people, regardless of their religious affiliation, hold abortion, sterilizations, and other reproductive “choice” aspects as morally wrong. Thus, those who believe these practices to be morally unacceptable should, in my opinion, not be demonized and viewed as intolerant.

            Likewise, as government and religion hold an authority over reproductive choices, men and their opinions also hold a certain impact over these reproductive components as well. For instance, men possess the ability to vote on issues like abortion, birth control, and other reproductive elements often seem purely as “women’s issues”. Thus, their opinion counts as equally as a woman’s opinion through voting on these issues.

            Considering these influences, the United States differs dramatically from some countries concerning reproductive decisions. For example, in the country of South Africa, abortion remains completely illegal. South Africa makes this an issue not of regional concern as the United States but of federal authority. Thus, the country limits the decision-making process severely and places an tremendous amount of power on the federal government, which is a horrible mistake in my opinion. Outlined in Constitution of the United States exists a clause that states that the federal government should have limited power while the states should possess more power in order to more efficiently govern its people, and I believe that this clause is vital to the happiness and wellbeing of US citizens, and I consider the proof of its validity through the uproar of the South African people with opposing legislations and rights.