By Portland Tidwell
SAN ANTONIO—
It has been a debate for quite some time, and has only gotten more intense since the overturning of the 50 year precedent, Roe V. Wade on June 24, 2022.
With election month coming up in November of 2024, several people have been preparing themselves for the continued promise of the reversal or a change and restoration of women’s reproductive rights.
On April 9 of 2024, former president and presidential nominee for the Republican party, Donald Trump, released a video on Truth Social explaining how he believes that abortion is an issue for the states, while President Biden, the democratic nominee, believes it is a federal issue.
Trump said that not only is it up to the states to determine when abortion is or is not necessary and that the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is what created a lack of trust for the Republican party.
However, he did not address any executive actions he would take to curb abortion.
On September 1, 2021 Texas governor Greg Abbott enacted one of the nation’s most strict abortion measures.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott at Marc Lahood’s State Representative endorsement event in San Antonio February 9th 2024
The heartbeat bill prohibits abortions as early as six weeks with no exception for rape and incest.
In the post Roe chapter of America, it is important to understand the various beliefs, including the differentiating beliefs of Gen Z.
Lillianna Guajardo, a student at Texas A&M University San Antonio is a pro-choice activist who wants everyone to understand that women are entitled to make their own choices about their bodies.
“Since the beginning, women have been oppressed in our society and treated as second class citizens since we were not able to work, vote, or have our own money. We are still not able to make our own choices when it comes to our healthcare and bodily autonomy”, Guajardo said.
When asked about what the pro-life and pro-choice debate creates, Guajardo said that those who engage in these debates and stand on the other side have a stance rooted in harmful rhetoric.
“It is very upsetting to see pro-life supporters protesting outside of Planned Parenthood berating women who go inside when oftentimes these women are seeking care for other medical issues, not just abortion” Guajardo said.
Guajardo said she would love to see total freedom of choice for women in the future, and that she was surprised to hear that Donald Trump, even with his party affiliation, made the move that he did.
“The current law in Texas bans nearly all abortions except for cases where a doctor determines the patients’ life is at risk, and Trump declining to endorse the ban ensures that women in Texas have a higher chance of receiving a health care exemption” Guajardo said.
Guajardo said that even though this debate has created such a divide, she believes there is hope, and that maybe everyone can find middle ground by understanding that the choice to have an abortion is not made flippantly, and far from easy.
Galaxy Acton, a UTSA graduate and one of the leaders of Pro-Life San Antonio shares opposing beliefs.
Acton believes that there is room for conversation, but when it comes to the issue of the right to life, there is no middle ground.
A student run organization at UTSA that Galaxy Acton had been apart of for years
“I want others to understand two things. Firstly, abortion at any stage of pregnancy leaves women and men traumatized and regretful even decades later. Secondly, abortion is an easy out for men as it allows complete avoidance of responsibility. With this, abortion enables corporations to exploit women” Acton said.
When asked about what she wants for the future, Acton said that she wants abortion to be completely outlawed and unthinkable.
“It’s sad that women have been led to believe that in order for us to succeed, we must kill our pre-born child,” Acton said.
Galaxy Acton pictured at a Pro-Life March
She believes that there should also be a better push and demand for a science focused sex-education teaching everyone about the women’s reproductive cycle and an understanding of how harmful the birth control pill and other chemical contraceptives are for women.
According to the Pew Research Center, about 57% of adults disapprove of Roe v. Wade being an issue for the states, and about 62% say abortion should be legal in all of most cases.
Pew Research Center’s findings on Americans who strongly approve, somewhat, approve, and those that strongly disapprove, somewhat, and disapprove.
Over 24 states have enacted possible abortion bans according to the GuttMacher institute.
These states include Alabama (near total ban), Arkansas (Near Total Ban), Idaho (near total ban) , Kentucky (near total ban) , Louisiana (near total ban) , Mississippi (near total ban), Oklahoma (near total ban) , South Dakota (near total ban) , Tennessee (near total ban) , Texas (near total ban) and West Virginia (near total ban).
According to Planned Parenthood, they are not backing down.
“You deserve access to healthcare, including abortion, without barriers or political interference. You deserve the right to control your own body no matter where you live or how much money you make”, Planned Parenthood said in a statement.
In a 2022 press release issued by The Institute for Women’s Health (IWH) by its president Valerie Huber stated that abortion is not a fundamental right and is neither explicitly or implicitly included in the United States constitution.
“We expect the Biden administration to continue imposing their radical abortion agenda across the globe, but IWH is optimistic the SCOTUS decision will empower nations to stand more firmly and confidently in their efforts to promote women’s health while defending life at every stage”, Huber said.
With the presidential election being just around the corner, many Americans are hoping for either a change or a continuation of the overturn of Roe v. Wade.