Roe v Wade Essay -- Abortion History Illegal Legal Pregnancy Essays

Roe v. wadeHave you ever wondered how abortion came to be legal? It was decided in the Supreme Court case of Roe v. Wade. The 1973 Roe v. Wade decision was a major landmark in not only the abortion issue, precisely also in American government.In 1970, Norma McCorvey, a single and pregnant woman in Texas wanted to get an abortion. The state laws of Texas at that time declared that it was illegal to have an abortion in Texas. Even though the state told her that she could go to one of the four states in which abortion was legal to have the performance done, she decided that she could not afford to travel to another state to receive the procedure. Norma McCorvey decided that she would sue the state of Texas, claiming that her constitutional uprights were being taken from her. She then changed her hang to the pseudonym Jane Roe to protect her right of privacy. The district court found that Roe did have grounds to file the suit against the state of Texas. They ruled on the grounds that the abortion laws in Texas infringed on the first, fourth, fifth, ninth, and fourteenth amendments of the constitution. The first amendment states that, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise therefrom or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances (http//www.house.gov/Constitution/Amend.html). The fourth amendment states that, The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and in particular describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized (http//www.house.gov/Constitution/Amend.html). The Fifth Amendment states that, No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crim e, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a view against himself,... ...them to a bigger risk of being pressured into an unwanted abortion. Many women are pressured from their male partner, physicians, parents, or others. 2. The question, When does life begin? was an unanswered question in 1973. nowadays there are answers that say that life begins at conception. 3. People need to protect unwanted children after they are born. Women should no longer be strained to dispose of unwanted children by ending human life.Whether you believe in legalized abortion or not, the Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade has definitely changed the way most American women treat unwanted pregnancies. It will be interesti ng to see what changes may occur from the next Roe case.BibliographyIs Cerebral paralyze Ever a Choice? Lifeissues.net. 2000. 31 July 2004. .Palmer, Gary. Roe V. Wade Exposed. 22 Jan. 2003. Alabama Policy Institute. 31 July 2004. .Pavone, Frank. Interview. Interview with Dr. Philip Ney. 16 Jan. 2001. 31 July 2004. .Roe v. Wade. The case. 22 Jan. 1973. 12 July 2004. .Roe v. Wade Then and Now. Reproductiverights.org. Jan. 2003. 9 July 2004. .