Supreme Court Takes a Stab at Roe v. Wade
By The Editorial Team
Recently, on December 10th, 2021, the Supreme Court met over the Whole Woman’s Health v. Jackson case to decide whether or not it would be constitutional for Texas to allow abortions within six weeks of conception (around the time a fetus develops a heartbeat). After long and arduous debate, the Supreme Court had finally decided: Texas was allowed to continue their law, Senate Bill 8, but abortion providers have the authority to challenge it in court (CNN).
Many people nationwide are extremely upset based on the ruling, claiming that Roe v. Wade is on the way to being reversed, in due time. Currently, the Supreme Court holds nine justices, six of which are Republicans, swaying the court’s rulings to lean more to the right. With this in mind, it is clear to see why the court ruled in the way that they did; there were too many justices on one political standing, which ended up swaying the results. The approval for Texas’ law on abortion essentially means that all states can follow in pursuit and set their own abortion constrictions. What this means for women is that their choices are now set to a certain time frame, often one in which they can not utilize, as most women do not find out that they are pregnant until around five to seven weeks (American Pregnancy Association). By the time they realize they’re pregnant, the time frame to get an abortion has ended, and if it hasn’t, women are forced to make a stressful and rather quick decision. In addition, around six weeks is when a heartbeat may be detected in a fetus, barring women from making a proper, well-thought-out decision (Associated Press). It is clear to see that the law was set up to achieve this result, forcing women to keep their pregnancies going.
Protestors at a pro-choice rally.
Photo courtesy of The Texas Tribune.
The most surprising and eye-opening aspect of the Texas law is the fact that it makes no exceptions for rape or incestuous cases. The umbrella of women this can cover is immense, ranging from young, teenage victims to older, middle-aged women. To make a woman, or young teenager, keep a baby, especially after a traumatic experience, such as rape, forces them to be reminded of the situation they were in. Furthermore, according to BMC Women’s Health, forty percent of women get abortions due to financial reasons, thirty-six percent being the wrong timing, thirty-one percent being partner-related issues, and twenty-nine percent being the need to focus on other children. If a woman can not financially support a child, which is rather expensive and costly, what is the point of bringing it into the world if she knows it will not have the life it should have?
Protestor holds up a pro-choice sign.
Photo courtesy of The Independent.
One must also consider the fact that abortions will not stop if they are illegal. Senate Bill 8 only makes official abortion procedures illegal after six weeks of conception, however, that won't stop the growing numbers of women who will resort to other means. Legal abortions are ninety-five percent effective when administered by pills, and rarely have complications (Doctors Without Borders). Illegal abortions, however, are forty-five percent dangerous and ineffective (on the global scale) (WHO). With this in mind, the Texas bill essentially causes women to resort to other unsafe options, which would make the mortality rates increase. When not administered correctly, unsafe abortions can cause infection, heavy bleeding, uterine perforation, and internal damage to the female reproductive organs (WHO). Do we really want our women to suffer through all of this when it can be performed professionally and safely?
One might try to argue that a woman can keep the child and give it up for adoption when it is born, however, most fail to understand that pregnancy takes a huge toll on a woman’s body. Whether it be from morning sickness or aching pains all over, pregnancy is an arduous nine-month journey for a woman (and sometimes a minor) to go through. The best part? At the end of the nine months, she will have to undergo excruciating labor, in which she could encounter other complications, such as prolonged labor, vaginal tearing, and excessive bleeding (MedlinePlus). Similarly, most fail to understand the emotional bond and guilt that is faced with a child one must give up; even if a woman can not support the child, it is hard for her to let go of it and not feel immense guilt and emotional stress. It is a lot harder to give up a living, breathing infant than it is to give up an embryo that does not contain a brain or heartbeat.
Finally, the one behind the Texas abortion policy, Senator Bryan Hughes, is a man. In 1973, Roe v. Wade was a groundbreaking case for the rights of women; it allowed them to make choices for themselves regarding their own bodies. Many feel that the creation of this law is intended to get around the administration of abortions, barring women from their freedom. It is clear to see that in America, men are the ones deciding women’s decisions before they can even approach the issue, and the approval of this law only enforces this. We can not expect to see women’s freedoms in use if we draw the line so thin we can barely read the differences. Women should be the ones deciding on issues pertaining to women, as they understand what it is like to be a woman and deal with the related issues. This is easier said than done, as you need a woman who is competent and elected to ensure freedoms are upheld.
Senator Bryan Hughes.
Photo courtesy of Dallas Morning News.
With the approval of Senate Bill 8, women across the country felt a strike in their freedom. The power that male senators now hold over women and their personal rights is a stab at Roe v. Wade, arguably setting us back in our progress. If we remain apathetic to women and their decisions, we lose track of who we are as human beings. We forget our ability to feel empathy, and we forget our country’s principles as a whole. Freedom was the sole reason our country was founded. To make excuses for a citizen’s freedom is to disregard their humanity as a whole. We must learn to understand and be more empathetic if we want to ensure that women’s natural rights and freedoms are upheld.
Cover photo courtesy of SCOTUSblog.