Roe v. Wade

Roe v Wade, 410 U.S. 113, a landmark decision made in 1973 by the Supreme Court protects the rights of individuals seeking an abortion. This precedent has protected people's autonomy for over a century. A leaked initial draft opinion written by Justice Alito and published by POLITICO outlines the Supreme Court's plan to strike down Roe v. Wade. The draft, a resolute “opinion of the court” claims that Roe was, “egregiously wrong from the start” and “its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences.” The draft states that since abortion is not explicitly stated in the Constitution, Roe has no grounds to stand on and the evidence that backs it is futile. Though this doesn't have any legal ramifications, it has validity and illuminates the Supreme Court's plans for the future.

The truth is this did not come out of nowhere. For years, states have been pushing for more restrictive laws regarding abortions in hopes of finding loopholes and eventually ban abortion completely; which is very close to becoming reality. There are already twenty six states, many of which have passed ‘trigger’ laws that will ban or drastically restrict abrotion access if Roe v. Wade is successfully overturned. This isn’t about saving unborn children for them, it is a power grab. One that has been in the works for awhile. The people who claim to be pro-life are not. You can not say you are pro life when you support forcing people into unwanted pregnancy no matter what the reasoning is. Those who wish to protect an individual's right to obtain safe and legal abortions are those who really value life.

Abortion clinics across the country are preparing for surges in patients crossing state lines to get access to abortions. If you have the money, it’s relatively easy to book a plane ticket and miss a few days of work to access an open abortion clinic. But what happens to those who do not have those resources? People around the country will face more logistical barriers as well as mental health barriers than ever before in the past 51 years. The socioeconomic standings will further divide us and create additional inequalities when it comes to abortion. What does that really mean? These laws will affect those who already face marginalization and discrimination the most. The system that was built off of the oppression of others will continue to do what it does best and silence those who disagree. People of color, those living in poverty, and those who are part of sexual and gender identity minorities will suffer the most. Black and Latino communities who already live in disproportionately lower income housing will face the most barriers when seeking access to abortions.

The American Psychological Association raises alarm as they share extensive research showing the links between abortion access and the detrimental mental health factors many will face if the Supreme Court follows through on their claims. The APA council is dedicated to ensuring reproductive justice and are advocating to preserve an individuals ability to obtain an abortion should they wish. The APA President Frank C. Worrell, PhD said, “Rigorous, long-term psychological research demonstrates clearly that people who are denied abortions are more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety, lower life satisfaction and lower self-esteem compared with those who are able to obtain abortions.”

The Turnaway Study - ANSIRH’s longitudanal study analyzes the mental health effects of recieving an abortion compared to those who are denied acces - an informative review that reveals the broader impact this law will have on individuals. When getting an abortion, you already face the judegment of others who may view you decision to obtain an obortion as wrong, thus contributing to abortion stigma. The study found that while symptoms of anxiety, depression, and loss of self-esteem are not associated with recieving an abortion due to high satisfaction post procedure, these are common occurences among people who are denied that fundamental right. Individuals who are forced to carry a child to term are also four times more likely to live below the Federal Poverty Level. When those people now have another mouth to feed and childbirth bills to pay, it is exacerbating the financial pressures they struggle from. Prior commitments and circumstances are often a reason one choices to get an abortion and also can delay the legal process you must undergo in many restrictive states. Meeting with a counselor takes a few days to schedule and you already only have a short window to find a provider. It is a complicated process that requires time and the resources to travel that many people do not have. Along with that, many of those who choose to have abortions are survivors of rape and domestic abuse. Being forced to deliver the child of your perpetrator is an emotional affliction that no one should have to experience. Those who are denied abortions are more likely to remain stuck with abusive partners.

Our world is changing and it is as important as ever to advocate for what you believe in. If you wish to make a direct impact by donating to aid someone with their abortion, contribute to the DC Abortion Fund. They have provided 27 years of support to those in need of abortion services and are vocal advocates for the cause.