The Drama Of Abortion In The US, As The Country Is Divided Into 50/50
The issue of abortion is highly controversial and has generated a lot of discussion and debate in the United States. Currently, almost half (24 against 26) of American states have laws that prohibit or excessively restrict access to abortion, while the few states that allow it can begin to be counted by the fingers of the hand.
In most of these states, abortion is completely prohibited, while others have excessive restrictions, such as in cases that jeopardise the mother's life or in cases of incest or rape. These restrictions can have a negative impact on women's lives, either physically or emotionally.
Texas recently passed a law banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, not giving most women time to know if they are really pregnant or not.
Below is a list of the states that banned abortions and the few exceptions to the law:
Idaho - rape or incest; if the mother's health is at stake
Utah - rape or incest; if the mother's health is at stake; condition of the fetus is fatal
Arizona - if the mother's health is at stake
North Dakota - rape or incest; if the mother's health is at stake
South Dakota - if the mother's health is at stake
Nebraska - rape or incest; if the mother's health is at stake; ectopic pregnancy
Oklahoma - if the mother's health is at stake
Texas - if the mother's health is at stake
Wisconsin - if the mother's health is at stake
Iowa - 20 weeks after fertilisation and during the third trimester
Missouri - if the mother's health is at stake
Arkansas - if the mother's health is at stake
Louisiana - if the mother's health is at stake
Mississippi - rape or incest; if the mother's health is at stake
Alabama - if the mother's health is at stake
Florida - if it puts the mother's health is at stake; the condition of the fetus is fatal
Georgia - rape or incest; if the mother's health is at stake; the condition of the fetus is fatal
South Carolina - rape or incest; if the mother's health is at stake; the condition of the fetus is fatal
North Carolina - the condition of the fetus is fatal
Tennessee - if the mother's life is at stake
Kentucky - if the mother's health is at stake
Indian - rape or incest; if the mother's health is at stake; the condition of the fetus is fatal
Ohio - if the mother's health is at stake
West Virginia - some cases of rape or incest; if the mother's health is at stake; ectopic pregnancy; condition of the fetus is fatal
The remaining states: Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Alaska and Hawaii allow abortion with small exceptions or without any kind of exception.
Women living in states that prohibit or significantly restrict abortion may face negative consequences. Some may be forced to resort to dangerous or fatal methods to obtain the much-desired abortion. Other women may be led to have a baby in their hands, even if it continues to jeopardise their mental health or financial life.
New York is the only state that allows abortion if the mother's mental health is at stake.
