WP2 Blog 1: Paternalism in Abortion Rights in Modern Decades

To reduce physical, social, and mental pressure on unwillingly pregnant women, the WHO promotes "access to safe, timely, affordable[, evidence-based], and respectful abortion care" as vital healthcare service for all women. As a paternalistic governmental control over reproduction, abortion bans originated from pro-life ideals that includes a human zygote as an individual with human rights. The movement is associated with but not restricted to Christian groups, secular organizations, and anti-abortion feminists. Opposing the pro-life activists, pro-choice activists aim to sustain rights to have legal access to abortion services. Central pro-choice ideas include abortion rights as part of bodily autonomy to women, as in, "my body, my choice." The movement is associated with but not restricted to several religious groups, democratic organizations, and women's rights activists.

The Indiana Safe Haven Law, documented since 2000, enabled parents to anonymously surrender infants without prosecution within 30 days of birth. The installation of the Haven Baby Box near a fire station at Carmel in 2017 with religious donations advertised the law throughout the state. Ever since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24th, 2022, ending federal abortion rights while allowing states to hold individual abortion laws, Indiana enacted an abortion ban, which makes "all abortions...illegal in Indiana after... September 15" with an "exception for rape, incest[, and certain severe medical complications" (McCammon). Due to the restraint in choices for women under unwanted pregnancy, "demand[s] for baby boxes will likely grow" under the pro-life legislation (Sheridan). 

While the efficacy of baby boxes in Indiana remains uncertain, Japan serves to be ahead of the issue for years long. Jikei hospital, a Catholic hospital in Kumamoto, Japan, created a "baby mailbox" system similar to those in Indiana in 2007. With abortion legal in Japan, there are still "161 babies and young children...dropped off at Jikei since 2007." In addition, empathy desires none for both the children and the mother. Takeshi Hasuda, the chief medical officer at the hospital, indicates that the surrendered children "are strongly stigmatized" while the mothers are "criticized" for not undergoing abortion. Such demonstrates a contradiction to the pro-life moral of abortion bans— even with alternative approaches provided, is paternalistically banning abortion by law morally correct for the children and the parents?

Disregarding whether abortion is against pro-life conduct, the government shouldn't forward laws that impose direct control over abortion rights. Instead, one should redirect the focus to encouraging sex education in education facilities to foster the notion of reproductive health within society. Building healthy relationships, respect, and body management such as the use of contraception are all great approaches to the purpose.

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