Abortion has always been an incredibly nuanced and controversial topic, with everyone contributing different things to the conversation. On May 2, an initial draft opinion that was written by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was leaked. This draft included details about how the judges on the bench discussed to vote to overturn the decision from Roe v. Wade. However, this decision hasn’t been set in motion yet. Unless the Supreme Court changes their decision, striking down Roe v. Wade would allow for complete abortion bans in any state that sees fit, including Texas. 

Growing up, abortion wasn’t a discussed topic in my house, so I paid little to no mind to the subject. As I got older and began consuming more media, I learned to see how controversial the topic is and realize how crucial it is for abortion to be legal and accessible to all people with uteruses, even if one doesn’t agree with it. 

Throughout the years, we have seen how the government feels as though it needs ownership over female anatomy and their reproductive rights, all under the disguise of religious beliefs claiming abortions are inhumane and cruel on the part of the one getting an abortion. But, there are so many different circumstances for somebody to resort to this procedure, ranging from life and death or just simply not feeling like you’re in a position to have and raise a child. We can never truly know the circumstances for someone getting one — unless you’re their doctor — and no one owes us an explanation in the first place.

Getting rid of Roe v. Wade wouldn’t allow for restrictions only on abortion, however; it opens up a gate for all things not directly mentioned in and protected in the constitution, such as access to birth control and fertility treatment for those who are infertile. If birth control were to come under attack due to the awaiting fall of Roe v. Wade, it would cause a numerous medical problems for all on birth control due to hormonal imbalances, as well as make it more difficult to prevent unwanted pregnancies, hence bringing the importance of abortion back into the equation. 

Everyone has their own view on abortion, but at the end of the day, if one doesn’t want one, then they simply dont have to get an abortion. It all goes back to tolerance for others and each person having the right to dictate their own body.