Watch This | Tug-of-war: Divergence and liberty underneath the opinions over abortion ban
By Chuan Lung
The US Supreme Court has wrapped up its annual term, but unfortunately threats to pregnant individuals' reproductive health, safety, and basic rights still remain. Its ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization has eliminated the federal constitutional right to abortion, leading to a sharp divergence among states regarding their stances and policies on abortion. This landmark decision has also ignited widespread social unrest and rekindled the national debate over the intersection of democratic freedom and reproductive rights.
Some states have swiftly taken action to reinforce restrictions on abortion, with some of them even implementing outright bans. For instance, North Dakota Judge Bruce Romanick recently overturned the state's abortion ban, ruling that the state's constitution protects a woman's right to the procedure until the fetus is viable. This ruling represents a victory for abortion rights supporters; however, the Republican-led state's attorney general has promised to appeal the judge's ruling, indicating that the battle is far from over.
American democratic values emphasize the protection of individual liberties and personal autonomy. However, the implementation of abortion bans appears to contradict these foundational principles. Advocates for abortion rights argue that such bans infringe upon women's basic rights to bodily autonomy and self-determination, which stand in direct opposition to the country's core belief in personal freedom. They assert that the right to make decisions about one's own body, including whether to continue a pregnancy, is a fundamental human right.
Conversely, opponents of abortion argue that unborn fetuses also possess the right to life, and that abortion effectively denies a potential life its chance at survival. They contend that protecting the rights of the unborn is equally important and does not conflict with American values.
The battle over abortion rights rages on across the states. In those where abortion bans have been enacted, women and their allies are fighting back through protests and political advocacy, contending that these bans represent a profound violation of women's rights.
Meanwhile, in states that support abortion rights, supporters are celebrating victories but remain vigilant, acutely aware that the fight is far from over. They understand that protecting these rights requires sustained effort and constant vigilance, as political shifts and legal challenges could quickly erode their hard-won gains.
Abortion rights have become one of the most pressing issues for voters in the 2024 US election. As the election progresses, the abortion debate has also emerged as a focal point in the clash between the two parties. The choices of either allowing abortion access or completely banning or severely restricting it reflect deep divisions in society, ethics, and religion. Both positions have strong supporters who advocate for their respective agendas based on different values and beliefs. The life of the unborn, the well-being of the mother, and the dignity of the Constitution may all just be pawns in the political battle.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
The author is from the Sichuan Agricultural University.
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