abortion

            Can it be deemed realistic for one single word, abortion, persay, to encompass such a broad scope of meaning? Definitely. The term abortion embodies a vast range of meaning. A medical procedure, government legislation, and controversial madness are only a few threads, amongst many, that weave all that abortion consists of. Careful exploration of every aspect of this ample spectrum is necessary to reach an educated verdict of pro-choice, or pro-life. In short, when choosing a stance, it is imperative that one considers what best suits society, what fundamental rights are guaranteed by government, and who holds a larger right: the woman, or the fetus? Logically speaking, the option of abortion is a sacred fundamental right, as well as a dilemma one should resolve by oneself; anything less is a blatant robbery of rights.
             In order to present the arguments surrounding abortion, it is crucial for the audience to understand why this fundamental right has been suffocated during previous decades. Beginning in the twentieth century, feministic sparks of the 1920's were smothered once the depression of the 1930's struck. During the depression feminism began to wane, nearly reaching extinction in the post World War Two era creating one of two effects: a stigma regarding abortion as taboo, or an attitude of complete oblivion. This reversal of feminism, peaking in the 1940's, paved the way for a resurfacing of the cult of domesticity. This reappearance of domestic values left the eager dream of motherhood freshly engraved on almost every woman's mind, finalizing abortion as unnecessary. To only contribute to the desire for motherhood, the domestic icon was praised for all her natural capabilities as home manager, ranging from gourmet chef to financial assistant (Maloy and Patterson 16-17 34). The glorification of domesticity was also reflected in the media, while Carol Hymowitz and Micheale Weisseman, writers of A History of Women, noted "The image of American women portrayed in the mass media in the 1950's was a well-groomed wife and mother.