The overturning of Roe v. Wade sent waves of shock across the U.S. in 2022, unraveling nearly 50 years of legal precedent that had guaranteed a woman’s right to an abortion. This landmark decision, which once affirmed abortion as a constitutional right, was flipped, leaving it up to individual states to decide whether abortion should be legal.
With all the uncertainty that followed, the debate about reproductive rights has never felt more urgent.
The pro-life perspective: protecting life from conception
For many, the end of Roe v. Wade was a victory. One anonymous physician assistant, 25, sees it as a win for both women and the unborn. For her, abortion isn’t just about a woman’s body; it’s about protecting a life that begins at conception. She firmly believes a fetus is a human from the moment of conception and deserves the same rights as everyone else.
She acknowledges the emotional and moral complexity of the issue, especially when it comes to how we view a fetus at different stages of a pregnancy. “At 37 or 38 weeks, we know that’s a baby,” she said. “But the truth is, whether it’s at 6 weeks or 36 weeks, it’s still a human life.” For her, the distinction between an early and a late-stage pregnancy doesn’t change the fact a fetus is a human being deserving of rights.
The physician assistant also argues the rights of fathers are often overlooked. “That baby is just as much his as it is hers; it is half of his DNA!” she pointed out, emphasizing men should also have a say in what happens to the child.
The pro-choice perspective: autonomy, equality and a broken system
On the other side of the debate, the overturning of Roe v. Wade felt like a crushing blow to many women. Sarah, 24, a behavioral health supervisor, recalled her shock when she heard the news. “It felt like a dystopian nightmare,” she said.
For Sarah, the issue isn’t about when life begins. It’s about women’s autonomy and the fact that our society is failing to support the people who are already alive. “I work in healthcare, and I see women in really difficult situations every day,” she explained. “There are so many kids in the foster care system, and so many people who struggle with poverty, poor healthcare, and lack of access to education. And yet, we’re spending all this energy trying to force women to have babies they may not be ready for.”
Sarah argued the focus should be on fixing the broken systems that hurt the women and children who are already here. “There are so many bigger issues to address,” she said. “Why are we forcing women to give birth when we can’t even provide proper healthcare or education for the children who are already living?”
She acknowledged people can believe different things about when life begins, but for her, it’s clear that forcing women to carry pregnancies against their will is harmful. “Whether you’re pro-life or pro-choice, we need to focus on the people who are already here and struggling,” she said. “I’ve seen the impact on women in difficult situations, and I know this is going to hurt them the most.”
Reflecting on Roe v. Wade: empowerment and the fight for control
For many women, Roe v. Wade wasn’t just about abortion — it was about having control over their own futures. Paula, 77, was in her 20s when the Supreme Court decided the original case in 1973. She remembers the sense of relief she felt when the ruling passed. “I knew women who had illegal abortions, some who died from infections. It was a nightmare,” she said. “When Roe v. Wade passed, it was like we finally had control over our bodies.”
Before Roe v. Wade, women didn’t have many rights. Women couldn’t get a credit card without their husband’s signature and reproductive rights were incredibly limited. Paula saw Roe v. Wade as a victory, not just for abortion access, but also women’s freedom to make their own decisions about their bodies.
But when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, it felt like a major setback for Paula and many other women who fought for these rights. “It felt like we took three steps forward and then 10 steps back,” she said. She’s especially worried about how some states are now trying to restrict access to birth control and reproductive healthcare, fearing that it’s part of a larger movement to control women’s lives.
“It’s like we’re headed toward ‘The Handmaid’s Tale,’” she says. “It’s a real threat to women’s autonomy. They are slowly but surely strangling women’s rights. Wake up American women!”
What’s next for abortion laws?
With Roe v. Wade overturned, the future of abortion in America is in flux. Some states have moved quickly to pass restrictive abortion laws, while others are working to protect access. Some politicians argue fetuses should be granted the same rights as those who are born, which could make abortion illegal across the country.
The varying perspectives show the complexity of this issue, but they also highlight the shared concern for human rights. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, it remains crucial to address the question of “where life begins.” We can have opinions surrounding this issue but until laws are structured around it, we are fighting a continuous debate.
This issue is about more than just reproductive rights; it’s about who has control over women’s bodies, lives and futures. Should we let women have the say? Or continue to let others, who are not pregnant, implement their ideas? As we continue to navigate this debate, the decisions made today will shape the future of America for generations to come.
Featured image: Photo by Ethan Gregory Dodge on Unsplash
Edited by Kester Kafeero & James Sutton
