Roe v Wade

One of the biggest decisions ever made in the history of the US Constitution is the Roe v Wade 410 US 113 (1973). It is a decision made by the Supreme Court of the USA stating the legal rights of seeking abortion and other healthcare services without the interference of any government. This decision was given against many derogatory state laws ruled for abortion. In fact, it also prompted a national debate and nationwide support and unrest from people.

What is Roe v Wade?

The US Supreme Court analyzed and realized that the different abortion laws maintained and ruled by the Federal Governments were unruly and unconstitutional. Justice Harry A Blackmun was the person who analyzed the abortion laws mandated by the states of America. He said that the Texas law of criminalizing abortion is absolutely unconstitutional and violates a woman’s right of seeking healthcare services and privacy.

It all began when Jane Roe, a false name given to protect the privacy of Norma McCorvey, sought federal action against Henry Wade, the contemporary district attorney of Dallas. Roe was turned down by the Supreme Court regarding her appeal for terminating a pregnancy as an absolute right for healthcare and privacy. This is where the name Roe v Wade was given to the case and the historical decision made.

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Blackmun found that the compelling interest of the states in regulating abortion with disregard to the health of the pregnant woman was appalling. Repeated challenges were thrown and discussed between the panels since 1973. It was in 1992, in the Casey v Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania case, the Supreme Court depicted the restrictions on abortion are an undue burden and unconstitutional for the sake of women’s healthcare.

It has always been a debate whether abortion to what extent of the pregnancy is legal. The initiation of this discussion began with the involvement of Supreme Court abortion cases since 1973. The legality of abortion varies from one state to the other resulting in uneven constitutional reforms and laws.

Roe v Wade Origins and Influence

As mentioned earlier, the cases related to the restriction of abortion practices in Texas became an important point of decision. The first case of Jane Roe and Henry Wade in 1973 under Justice Blackmun was the initiation of a series of arguments done in the court sessions was the origin of reforming abortion laws.

This case reshaped the American political ground due to the uprising of anti-abortion movements and abortion rights activities. It all began when Norma McCorvey wanted an abortion when she became pregnant for the 3rd time. It was so sensitive in Texas in 1969 that her name was kept a secret. In Texas, abortion was only chosen as an option to save a mother’s life. She filed a case against Henry Wade, the local district attorney. Since then, there have been multiple cases filed and the debate between two significant sides goes on.

The Roe v Wade decision was given by Justice Blackmun saying that the abortion law of Texas is unconstitutional considering a woman’s right to healthcare services, privacy, and pregnancy termination. This was the first time that the court ruled abortion as the birthright of a woman to choose pregnancy termination or not. This decision made abortion legal nationwide resulting in social unrest among the supporters and protestors.

Justice Blackmun studied and defined the abortion laws of all the states and defined that a woman faces unnecessary pregnancy due to incest, rape, and other crimes also. In fact, she can also face issues regarding anomalous fetal growth resulting in the degradation of her physical and mental health. This is why he stated that abortion is the right a woman can practice in the USA and can decide whether or not to terminate her pregnancy.

Roe v Wade Summary

To summarize the effect of the Roe V. Wade case, the Supreme Court started taking interest in the birthrights of women amended and practiced in the different federal states of America. More focus was given to changing the laws that harm women’s health along with the abortion laws. Medical research began summarizing the ideal time to seek pregnancy termination. The Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision was an excellent point made in terms of abortion for women’s rights belonging to all ethnicities.

As mentioned earlier, the Roe v Wade majority opinion resulted in social unrest and protests from the anti-abortion population throughout the country. The political ground of the country got divided into two sides due to the support and protest of abortion laws and their projections. This is what is Roe v Wade stands for the US Constitution and women’s rights.

There have been constant attacks on the decisions made regarding legalizing abortion. Many lawmakers were pressurized by the common people from different ethnicities and religious sects to criminalize abortion. The unconstitutional restrictions were implemented in different states. The Roe v Wade summary tells us how it changed the constitutional rights for women’s health. The decision made by the US Supreme Court was welcomed and protested at the same time.