ARE YOU "PRO CHOICE" OR "PRO LIFE?"

According to the Chicago Tribune, the first statutory abortion regulation was enacted in 1821 in the state of Connecticut to protect women after their fourth month of pregnancy from induced abortion by poison.  Little did they know, abortion would become one of the biggest controversies of all times.  Merriam Webster defines abortion as induced expulsion of a fetus.  Abortion, a topic that was not spoken upon, has now made it into many headlines and into our own homes, our hearts and our minds. 

According to a recent Gallup poll, 45% of Americans believe that abortion is wrong, and 49% believes that whatever the woman chooses is fine. These percentages haven't change much. Last year "pro life" Americans stood at 47% and "pro choice" Americans stood at 45%. CSNNEWS.com, reports that the survey was done on 1,018 Americans asking them whether they considered themselves "pro life" or "pro choice."

Katha Pollitt, author of Abortion in American History, states that the number one reason why people are against abortions is because in their opinion its murder.  She goes on to explain that "almost half American women have terminated at least one pregnancy, and millions more Americans of both sexes have helped them, as partners, parents, health-care workers, counselors, and friends.

According to Choice Matters, some popular reasons why people are against abortion is because of the medical complications that can derive from the procedure. Some people also believe that having an abortion is punishing the unborn child, and causes intense psychological pain and stress.  Whereas, American Psychological AssociatioN found that stress is greatest prior to the abortion.  Pro choice believers feel that abortion is a safe medical procedure and women should have complete control over their bodies. 

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Abortion is not only a big controversy in America, but also across the World.  In many countries Abortion is legal in certain circumstances.  In Afghanistan, Abortion is only legal if it threatens the life of the woman. In Bangladesh, Abortion is legal but only in the 1st trimester. In other countries like Chile, El Salvador, Malta, and Venezuela, there is no exceptions to Abortion, it is illegal (PregnantPause.org).  Abortion will continue to be debated today, tomorrow, and years to come. You choose, are you "pro choice" or "pro life?"