The Present-Day Discussion Surrounding Abortion Has Been

The present-day discussion surrounding abortion has been framed, in most instances, as an issue of morality and the preservation of life. Opponents of abortion, often using religion to bolster their claims, assert that abortion is akin to infanticide and that it is not permissible, while those who support it argue that women should be given the autonomy to choose what should be done with their own bodies. This was not, however, always the case, and although religion undoubtedly plays a role in the shaping of the idea of abortion and contraception as a morally objectionable act, there are other less obvious factors at work; creating a role for women’s bodies and dictating the ways in which they can and cannot use them. The role of†¦show more content†¦Such a heavy-handed promulgation of such an idea had several consequences. Firstly, it acted as an affirmation to some that contraception and abortion were indeed morally wrong and contrary to the way that â€Å"properâ €  American women should act, the President openly chastising the practice held clout with the American people and strengthened the stigma that had prevented many women from previously sought these measures from attempting to do so (Ellison, 2003). Secondly, it galvanized many feminists to argue for the reproductive rights of women in the public sphere for the first time (Gordon, 1974). Many of these feminists, who were generally middle-class women, argued that it was up to the women to decide whether it was necessary to postpone or forgo childbirth to pursue other opportunities, such as employment or an education, that would not be feasible after accepting the role of motherhood. Roosevelt, by demanding procreation of these women, thereby denied them access to these opportunities and attempted to make their bodies vehicles of the state, reducing them to merely carriers of the next Protestant generation without allowing them autonomy in choice of lifestyle. The last consequence o f Roosevelt’s ideology on race suicide and the importance of protecting the Yankee bloodline, was that itShow MoreRelatedShould Abortion Be Legal?940 Words   |  4 Pageshear the word â€Å"abortion,† the thought of a baby being killed instantly flashes and conquers your thought and mind. Abortion has been a controversial topic, roaring for discussions and debates for the past four decades. You may be wondering if people are for it or against it. I’m personally against it; I considered myself pro-life. Today, I will be discussing the topic of abortion. The questions that I hope to answer within my paper are how was abortion made legal? 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