In 1953, an 18 year old girl died from a “coat hanger” abortion. In 1972, 39 women died from illegal abortion complications. In 1973 Roe vs Wade (one of the most famous abortion cases) was taken to the supreme court, and ruled that the Constitution protects the right for pregnant women to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restrictions. In 2009 we made steps towards the total legalization of abortion. But today we are putting attempts into action to reduce abortion through coercive restrictions and causing a “direct violation of individuals’ dignity, bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom.” (Nash)

It’s no secret that the topic of abortion is lead with emotion. As said by the supreme court, women do have a right to choose. Yet we are still pushing back and fighting each other on an issue that needs to be solved. We are so focused on getting our own way that we don’t see what is at stake. Taking steps back in this movement would result in major social disadvantages.

49.6% of the world's population is female, meaning 49.6% of the world has the ability to to get pregnant whether they want to or not.1.35% of all women have at least one abortion. 75% of those women are in poverty and 23% of women are of the ages between 10 and 19. These are the minorities of our society that are most affected by this controversy. These women have a less likely chance to support a child to the maximum capability for a fulfilling life. Lyndsay Werking-Yip is a mother who made the decision to end her pregnancy when her fetus was diagnosed with severe brain abnormalities. She wrote in the New York Times that her fetuses “diagnosis was not fatal, not incompatible with the bare mechanics of a living body. But it was incompatible with a fulfilling life.” When we are thinking about this issue we shouldn’t be fighting for one side or the other, but instead, for the opportunity for individual women to make their choice based on what they decide is best for them and their embryo, without running the risks of “coat hanger” abortions.

Libertarians believe in freedom and making our own choices as long as it does not harm others. While some may argue that an abortion harms the fetus, I would argue back that a fetus has not yet developed their own since of right and worng, so if harm is wrong, how can an embroy know it is being harmed. With this point of view, women would have the freedom to privately choose what they think is best for them, or the future of a potential child knowing they have the safety of a legal clinic.

When a choice does not directly affect you or your well being, you should not be spitting hate and disaster at people who it does affect. While women are affected, they still have yet to be seen in a position of power to have their voice be heard. Establishing this freedom of choice needs a new way of involvement.

We need to hear the stories that matter, we need to consider all the unfortunate possibilities for carrying a pregnancy to term, and we need to establish a right of freedom for women, by women.