Online Class Notes (Mike)

Write about your thoughts on America’s abortion ban.

In its 1973 decision Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court recognized that the right to liberty in the Constitution, which protects personal privacy, includes the right to decide whether to continue a pregnancy. For the first time, Roe placed reproductive decision-making alongside other fundamental rights, such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion, by conferring it the highest degree of constitutional protection, known as “strict scrutiny.”

The Supreme Court required the state to justify any interference with the right to access abortion by showing that it had a “compelling interest,” and held that no interest was compelling enough to ban abortion before viability.  After the point of viability, the state could ban abortion or take other steps to promote its interest in protecting the fetus. Even after that point, however, abortion must be permitted to protect a patient’s life and health.

In recognizing the right to abortion, Roe was consistent with earlier Supreme Court rulings recognizing a right of privacy that protects intimate and personal decisions—including those affecting child-rearing, marriage, procreation, and the use of contraception—from governmental interference. By guaranteeing the right to make decisions in pregnancy, Roe was critical to advancing gender equality in educational, economic, and political spheres. 

At the time Roe was decided in 1973, nearly all states banned abortion, except in certain limited circumstances. Criminal abortion bans contributed to the death of scores of people who were unable to access safe, legal abortion. Under Roe, these bans were unconstitutional, making abortion legal, more accessible, and safer for many pregnant people throughout the country.

While Roe’s legal implications were enormous, even Roe could not make access a reality for everyone, and low-income people, people of color, young people, and others continued to face obstacles to abortion care.

Vocabulary

Evangelicalism (n) – Evangelical (adj.)

missionary (n) 传教士

sect (n) 宗派，教派

fetus (n) 胎儿

trimester (n) 三月期

play devil’s advocate (n) 唱反调

referendum (n) 公投
Britain held a referendum on Brexit a few years ago.

sue (v) 控告，诉讼

miscarriage (n) 流产

contraceptive (n)  a drug, device or practice used to prevent a woman becoming pregnant

incest (n) 乱伦

exempt (v)
Even the few extreme exceptions are not exempt.

hostile (adj.)
This law is very hostile towards women.

Pro Life vs Pro Choice

It has a high risk of life.
It is a risky thing to do.
You are risking your life.