The Controversial Debate Of Abortion - 2790 Words

Throughout our Women and Religion Course, we have analyzed how women’s lives have been shaped by religious affiliation, or lack thereof. Religious obligations and ideals have historically placed women in a patriarchal box that has required the submission or obedience of women in order to be a true follower. This ideology has created a movement within different religions for a more progressive understanding of the modern woman and her ability to increase participation and visibility for similar women; who may be experiencing the same plight. Women, who speak out about the emotional, sexual, and physical abuse that pervades certain religions, as well as the lack of respect, provide a voice for woman who may otherwise never have their stories†¦show more content†¦However, it was only considered a crime because it deprived the husband of a child, it was not criminal to deprive the fetus of life itself. American states developed their initial stance on abortion through Br itish law, which allowed the legality of abortion so long as it was performed before â€Å"quickening†, also referenced as the first movements of the fetus. The first detectable movements of the fetus occur primarily between 13-25 weeks of pregnancy meaning that abortion was legal up until the end of the second trimester. Although early abortion practices were still dangerous and unregulated, they were openly advertised in the U.S. until 1821. Connecticut became the first state to criminalize abortion. This would eventually lead to the subsequent criminalization of abortion in all 50 states by 1965, with very few exceptions. Connecticut began its descent into illegal abortion legislation by outlawing the sale of an abortion-inducing liquid. Initially, the law did not punish the women who used this method of abortion, but soon after, New York criminalized female participation in abortion practices. The 1845 New York law criminalized the woman regardless if she participated in the abortion before or after quickening. Scholars even in present day discussions have disputed the ideology behind the initial outlawing of abortion. Some researchers argue that new implementation