Re: Please can someone give feedback on my lnat essay

Abortion can be defined as the killing of a foetus during pregnancy. The act of terminating a pregnancy has long been considered both illegal and taboo but some governments are starting to accept a more progressive outlook on abortion in certain circumstances. However, this still stands as a morally and legally complex subject. There are many differing opinions on this topic, with those supporting abortion being named “pro-choice” and opponents, “pro-life”. Factors such as upbringing, religion and education can play a role in determining an individual’s opinion about abortion. This essay will consider arguments for and against permitting abortion and will conclude that the decision should ultimately rest with the woman, within reasonable legal limits.
Firstly, the fact that the government is the main decider of whether abortion should be permitted highlights the complete lack of autonomy considered when it comes to evaluating this matter. Carrying a child a massive responsibility for women and it puts enormous strain on their bodies – something which is not to be amplified by an unwanted pregnancy. Women should be able to make this decision because ultimately, they are the only ones that will be affected by the consequences. It is easy for the government and other experts to generalise one experience to all women but unless they are in that position themselves, they will not truly understand the extent of it. There are many reasons why some women want to terminate their pregnancies including not having enough money to financially raise a child, the child being conceived unethically such as through rape or health concerns for the future child or mother. For the vast majority of women, they do want children so the need to terminate a pregnancy is often valid and not thought about lightly. On the other hand, critics argue that women rely on abortions as a result of their promiscuous behaviour. Some religions such as Christianity only allow sexual intercourse once married and in a loving, committed relationship. As a result, many Christians believe that unwanted pregnancies are a direct consequence of unprotected sex out of wedlock. However, in the 21st century it is important for women to have sexual freedom after decades of being disregarded in society. They should have the power and autonomy over both their sexuality and bodies. Internalised misogyny is often the centre of moral debates such as allowing rape victims to terminate their pregnancies. This because some people still believe that women are raped because they were “asking for it” or other factors such as what they were wearing. Furthermore, unwanted pregnancies can occur within a marriage so it is not to say that out of wedlock pregnancies are the only instance where abortion is requested. Therefore, abortion should be permitted when women believe that this would be the best possible option for them, preventing further hardships occurring later along the line.
Alternatively, many argue that abortion is unnatural and should not be allowed. Although most pregnancies are terminated at an early stage, the foetus is still developing at a rapid rate. The foetus begins to resemble what it is; a human. From a religious perspective, many Christians believe that children are a gift from God and even if this comes as a surprise, it should not be a reason to end a pregnancy as this goes against God’s wishes. Humanists may disagree with this concept, but some still do not support abortion because they believe it infringes on an individual’s (including unborn individuals) right to life. One dominant factor which influences abortion is one’s quality of life. Many people living in poor circumstances such as extreme poverty or dealing with a terminal illness do not think it is just to bring a child into the world if they themselves are living a hard life. However, it can be said that despite the financial status of yet-to-be parents or their health, the future child still has the potential to cultivate a life for themselves. It must be acknowledged that exacerbating factors can make one’s life harder, but it should not be a determining cause of diminishing their possibility of life because after all, everyone deserves to live. Opponents of abortion believe that people who murder/kill children should be punished so the same rule should apply for killing unborn children as they have the potential to develop into children. In conclusion, whilst these arguments are valid, by aborting an unwanted pregnancy, it prevents the chance of people in difficult circumstances experiencing a worse life. There is a possibility of the future child overcoming obstacles and living a great life but there is also, an arguably stronger possibility of growing up in an unsupportive environment which can lead to further inequalities and is extremely damaging to the individual. Proponents of abortion argue it is the kinder thing to do than forcing a child to grow up where they are not wanted. On the basis of religion, it can be argued that in theory, if God supports and forgives everyone that commits to him, he would want them to be happy and healthy even if this includes making a sacrifice such as terminating a pregnancy to avoid health implications. Ultimately, the action of terminating a pregnancy is a preventative measure to avoid further harm in the future rather than waiting until the harm is inflicted to tackle it.
Overall, in most circumstances abortions should be permitted. These circumstances include any justified reason as to why a woman feels the need to consider pregnancy termination. It is the government’s duty to work with citizens to create policies which best reflect positive outcomes for society and therefore, her reasons must be listened to and supported. Until someone is in the position of wanting to terminate a pregnancy, they do not know what it is like and they should not be given the power of making such an impactful decision. Although many consider abortions as unethical, is it not more ethical to terminate unwanted pregnancies than bring unwanted children into the world? The key point being made by “pro-lifers” is the word choice; if abortion is legalised, everyone - no matter their beliefs - will have the choice to terminate a pregnancy or carry until birth. Is it evident that allowing abortions enables women in difficult circumstances to prevent the chance of experiencing an unwanted pregnancy and bringing an unwanted child into the world.