Elisabeth Rankin ’25

Following the growing tensions from the upcoming election, several topics have been resurfacing again and again in political debates. One of which is the topic of reproductive rights, and abortion as a whole. However it has not always been this way.  

In fact abortion was not seen as a political issue until the mid 1800’s. In fact, according to an article released by planned parenthood “[In] colonial days, abortion was a regular part of life for women.”  In fact abortion has existed practically as long as human beings. Even going back as far to the roman empire many women would drink or consume certain herbs to prevent pregnancy. This was a common practice even following into the 19th century with newspaper ads even advertising abortion remedies for women to take for unwanted pregnancies. While it was generally accepted and legal in most states, it was socially frowned upon, however there was no motive to pass regulations on the practice.  

So when did this mindset around abortion change into the political debate it is now?  

 In general, abortion had been ignored or seen as generally accepted in the United States prior to the Civil War. This is partly due to the lack of male obstetrician-gynecologists of OB/GYN’s, but additionally to the demographic of the women getting abortions during this time. According to planned parenthood, enslaved women were the most common demographic to get an abortion.  

Due to the fact that they were valuable property; because if they were to give birth to a child, the child would automatically be property of the owner of the slave; hence, southern lawmakers began to put restrictions on reproductive rights.  

Following this beginning of regulation of reproductive rights, the first true anti-abotion movements began. These movements were much like they are today with strong religious and moral concern. As a result between the years of 1860-1880 more than 40 new regulations and bans on abortion were passed. Fast forward to the early to mid 1900’s, according to John Hopkins, in almost all states and territories abortion had been deemed illegal. However this did not stop women from receiving abortions, nor doctors from performing the operation. In fact, between the 1950s and 1960s, an estimated “1.2 million illegal abortions were performed each year in the U.S., according to the Guttmacher Institute” By abortions being illegal, it only prevented lower class women from receiving abortions; those who wanted an abortion were still able to receive an abortion if they were able to pay. Women who could afford it began to fight for abortion rights for cases where their lives would be endangered. This set off a frenzy of new abortion reforms, eventually ending in the supreme court decision in Roe Vs Wade in January of 1973 allowing women full autonomy over the choice to have an abortion. Which eventually gets overturned in 2022, leaving the decision of abortion rights again to individual states rather than the individual woman. 

Throughout United States History opinion on abortion has been ever changing. With periods of acceptance as well as periods of disapproval. However it has never been as strong as a spotlight as it is now with the 2024 election right around the corner. This election could change the United States and what it would look like for millions of Women across the country.  

Conlan Boyer ’25

Abortion is one of the most divisive topics in political debate today. Why? Because, like most political issues, there’s no perfect answer—at least not one everyone can agree on. You have the far left advocating for unrestricted abortion access, the moderate left proposing a broader allowance with some limitations, the moderate right favoring abortion only in limited cases, and the far right seeking to restrict abortion rights almost entirely. And then, there’s the middle—the group without an opinion. I consider them the most problematic group, not because they hold terrible ideas, but because American politics is rooted in having an opinion and the right to express it openly. By not exercising that right, they’re neglecting liberties that many around the world can only dream of. So, if you had to take a stance on abortion, what would it be? Is abortion right or wrong?
In my eyes, abortion is totally and absolutely wrong. Raised under the Catholic faith, I cannot justify the ending of a future life. Life is the most precious gift given to us by our Lord and Savior, and it should not be taken away at the hands of others without reason. Life is life, no matter the form it takes, and everyone deserves the chance to experience it. Creating life and bringing a child into this world is a dream for many parents—a privilege that not everyone has. Those who do have this privilege should treat it as such. I disagree with states like Oregon, where there are no limitations or restrictions on abortion. Abortion should not be used as a form of contraception but rather reserved for extreme cases, such as the well-known three exceptions. Abortion is not a method of birth control and shouldn’t be treated as such; instead, it should be a last resort, considered only when the mother’s health is at risk.
One of the main reasons women give for seeking an abortion is financial difficulty or poor timing. Although this may be a valid concern for some, I don’t believe abortion is the best solution. Alternatives, like adoption, can address these concerns while still allowing the child to live. Some argue that adoption has its own challenges, and I agree, but if we focused on solving those issues rather than using abortion as a quick fix, we’d make real progress. If we only propose temporary fixes, we’ll never see lasting change. Permanent solutions come from collective effort and willingness to improve existing systems instead of overlooking them in favor of a temporary fix. A part of this starts with the law. In many states with abortion restrictions, medical professionals worry about whether performing an abortion in certain cases will break the law. This uncertainty can put mothers at unnecessary risk. No matter which side of the debate you’re on, we should all agree that laws need to be clear to protect women’s lives.

Some of you reading this might question why I, as a man, should be sharing my opinion on this topic. Well, although I will never experience pregnancy, that doesn’t stop me from exercising my rights as an American citizen to voice my opinion. One of the greatest privileges in the United States is the freedom of speech, and we all—regardless of who we are or what we believe—should want to exercise that right. This freedom propels society forward and helps us find and work toward solutions. It is discussions like this about difficult topics that keep the world running and ones that people need to have more often than not. I believe that abortion is morally wrong, but I also believe that not everyone needs to share this view. Therefore, I support the right of women to make their own choices.