Argumentative Essay

Abortion Should be Legal: Affirmative Argument

Should abortion be legal?  People have varying views on this question and base their views on many things.  Morals, religion and humanity all play into what side of this argument you land on.  Both sides of the argument have a right to their opinion and each side is able to support their argument with facts.  But in my opinion, abortion, although I do not feel it is the right decision, should still be a decision to be made and should be legal.  The basis of my opinion is that people should have control over their lives.  Who are we to tell them what they can do with their lives?  Everyone has the right to make their own decisions about their lives.  Why should this decision have to be made for them?

People who believe in the right to have an abortion are pro-choice.  To be pro-choice does not mean you are for abortion.  It means that you are for the freedom of choice, the freedom to make your own decision.  Everyone should have choices in their lives.  Our lives are based on the choices we can and cannot make.  People have different beliefs about the issue and just because some people do not believe in abortion does not mean that everyone should lose that choice.  Freedom is the basis of our country.  If you take away people’s freedom then how can we truly be considered the freest country in the world?

Another issue to consider when talking about abortion is the situation and living conditions of the person who has become pregnant.  For example if a rape victim becomes pregnant, should that woman be forced to carry that child?  It is unthinkable that she should be forced into this situation.  The emotional stress that would cause that person would be unbearable.  That person should have the choice to have an abortion.

Another example of a person’s life that would give them a reason to have an abortion is the age of the person.  Many teenagers become pregnant.  Sometimes the best thing for that teenager is to keep the child.  In those cases the young woman has a family that will help them care for that child.  In many cases of teenage pregnancy the young woman is not that lucky.  They may live in poorer conditions, or not have a family that would be fit to help take care of the child.  Sometimes adoption would be an option, but what if the young woman could not deal with the pregnancy?  The doctor appointments cost a lot of money.  Also if this young woman is living in poor conditions, school is one of the only things that could help them get out of those living conditions.  Pregnancy would most definitely disrupt her schoolwork.  Abortion is not always the right thing to do, but sometimes it is the best thing in certain situations.

One of the last major factors of abortion is the person’s beliefs.  In some cases a person believes an abortion is not the right thing to do.  That does not mean it is the wrong thing for everyone.  The right to choose to have the abortion should not be taken from everyone.  It should be a choice anyone can make.  It should not be based on other’s wishes.  People vote, march, and protest against abortion.  It is not their choice what others do.  The choice is theirs to make and should not be made for them.  

When you look at how people view abortion it is a visceral reaction in any case.  If you feel strongly that abortion is wrong, no one is going to be able to change your mind, but no one is forcing you to have an abortion.  You have the freedom to stand by your beliefs.  If, on the other hand, you do not have that belief and do not see abortion as immoral, then the only thing allowing you to make that choice is your right as a citizen in this country.  Again, no one is going to force you to have an abortion, but if you take away that choice, you are being forced into not having one.