Abortion

My opponent continues to insist that by criminalizing abortion will just move abortion underground where they will continue at the same rate. His underlying assumption is that the reason for the decrease in abortion rates is because of the law passed to allow abortions. Abortions actually increased rapidly after Roe vs Wade [3, 4], And the decrease in only slightly lower than it was before the decision. This decrease is primarily because of the increase in the effectiveness and use, Of contraceptives [1], The prevalent lower pregnancy rates [10], And the decrease of the social stigma towards childbirth outside of wedlock. This decreasing trend wouldn"t be affected if abortion was illegal, As contraception would continue to be more developed and used as the years pass. Whilst it may continue underground for a period of time, The abortion rates should steadily decrease at the same rate that they are now. As that rate of abortion decreases, The amount of abortions and mortality rates of the mother will in turn also decrease. Whilst my opponent may say that their have been greater rates of mortality before abortion became legal, He does not consider the possibility that they may decrease when going from having abortion legal, To the having it illegal. Take the example of Chile. In 1988 abortion was legal in Chile, And a year later, In 1989, Abortion was illegal under all circumstances. Studies show that although Chile made abortion illegal, The maternal mortality rates (MMR) are some of the lowest in the world [2, 5, 6], Which is contrary to common belief that by making abortion illegal you are increasing the MMR in that country. I am also not debating for the criminalisation of abortion, But rather that it should be made illegal. Take the example of wearing a seat belt. By not wearing a seat belt, You are essentially breaking the law by not wearing your seat belt. Although this is illegal, You are not considered as a criminal. Abortion should have legal consequences through the eyes of the law. Whilst I realise that many pro-life supporters push for the criminalisation of abortion, And the prosecution of it as murder. I am not arguing this point, And am instead arguing that it should be illegal, And that it is immoral. The problem with current law is that having an abortion is considered less in the eyes of the law than not wearing your own seat belt. Abortion very much involves the deliberate termination of a human life, And that is considered as a lesser offence than not wearing your seat belt. Just because the effect of having a certain act viewed as illegal may possibly turn out negatively does not mean that the law should instead view that act positively. Infanticide is an act that is viewed by the law as negative, Yet is less about punishing the person and more about helping them [7, 9], And providing a much needed view on what is considered right and wrong by the law. The same, If less, Would be applied to abortion. Infanticide is less of a crime than homicide, So I would assume that abortion would be less of a offence as infanticide. People who fall pregnant due to rape or incest, The problem is with the rape and incest. The child should not be punished for the wrong of its parents. The is no reason that a child born out of rape should be denied the right to life. I would also like to point out that my opponent has yet to provide a reason as to why abortion is not immoral. Sources [1] Crockett, E. (2017). The abortion rate is at an all-time low " and better birth control is largely to thank. [online] Vox. Available at: https://www. Vox. Com/identities/2017/1/18/14296532/abortion-rate-lowest-ever-because-birth-control [Accessed 6 Aug. 2018]. [2] EurekAlert! . (2014). The Chilean abortion paradox: Even when prohibited by law, Abortion rates decrease. [online] Available at: https://www. Eurekalert. Org/pub_releases/2014-11/mi-tca110614. Php [Accessed 6 Aug. 2018]. [3] Ingraham, C. (2017). [online] Washington Post. Available at: https://www. Washingtonpost. Com/news/wonk/wp/2017/01/17/abortion-falls-to-lowest-level-since-roe-v-wade/? Utm_term=. 69e08274ef91 [Accessed 6 Aug. 2018]. [4] Kliff, S. (2014). Thirteen charts that explain how Roe v. Wade changed abortion rights. [online] Washington Post. Available at: https://www. Washingtonpost. Com/news/wonk/wp/2014/01/22/thirteen-charts-that-explain-how-roe-v-wade-changed-abortion-rights/? Utm_term=. E1bab798e93d [Accessed 6 Aug. 2018]. [5] Koch, E. , Thorp, J. , Bravo, M. , Gatica, S. , Romero, C. , Aguilera, H. And Ahlers, I. (2012). Women's Education Level, Maternal Health Facilities, Abortion Legislation and Maternal Deaths: A Natural Experiment in Chile from 1957 to 2007. PLoS ONE, [online] 7(5), P. E36613. Available at: http://journals. Plos. Org/plosone/article/file? Id=10. 1371/journal. Pone. 0036613&type=printable [Accessed 6 Aug. 2018]. [6] LifeSiteNews. (2014). This country banned abortion and now, Abortion promoters can"t believe their eyes! . [online] Available at: https://www. Lifesitenews. Com/opinion/this-country-banned-abortion-and-now-abortion-promoters-can't-believe-their [Accessed 6 Aug. 2018]. [7] Nedim, U. (2015). Should Mothers Who Kill Their Babies Ever Escape a Prison Sentence? . [online] Sydney Criminal Lawyers. Available at: https://www. Sydneycriminallawyers. Com. Au/blog/should-mothers-who-kill-their-babies-ever-escape-a-prison-sentence/ [Accessed 6 Aug. 2018]. [8] Sifferlin, A. (2017). Http://time. Com. [online] Time. Available at: http://time. Com/4639424/abortion-rate-texas/ [Accessed 6 Aug. 2018]. [9] The Conversation. (2018). The law of infanticide is supposed to provide merciful treatment for vulnerable mothers. [online] Available at: https://theconversation. Com/the-law-of-infanticide-is-supposed-to-provide-merciful-treatment-for-vulnerable-mothers-100539 [Accessed 6 Aug. 2018]. [10] Thomson-DeVeaux, A. (2015). The Abortion Rate Is Falling Because Fewer Women Are Getting Pregnant. [online] FiveThirtyEight. Available at: https://fivethirtyeight. Com/features/the-abortion-rate-is-falling-because-fewer-women-are-getting-pregnant/ [Accessed 6 Aug. 2018].