| The topic of abortion is one of the hottest and most divisive ones in the United Statesof America. Whether women should have easy access to abortion is heatedly debated inAmerica and its accessibility in reality undoubtedly has great impact upon women. Thisthesis mainly explores the evolution of major abortion laws and policies in America，arguing that the implication of each abortion law and policy acts as a trigger for itsreversal.From its foundation to the mid-19thcentury, Americans had followed the Englishcommon law on the issue of abortion. However, in the middle and late19thcentury thestatutory law of most states turned to restrictive abortion laws for several reasons whichwill be discussed in the body of the paper. The restrictive laws caused dissatisfaction fromwomen’s rights groups and the publicity of the Sherri Finkbine case aroused public debateand doubt over the abortion laws in force. Thus, a reform movement aimed to passrelatively lenient and liberalized laws began. Finally it evolved into the repeal movementwhich called for abortion on request and prompted the landmark ruling, Roe v. Wade in1973by the US Supreme Court. After the ruling, opponents of abortion accumulatedstrength, trying to overturn the Supreme Court decision. Although they are unable tooverturn it once and for all, yet they have achieved success in many sates by makingabortion less accessible through state laws and regulations.In conclusion, the reform law and repeal law movement provide foundation andincentive for reversing the restrictive laws. With the coming of Roe v. Wade,anti-abortionists take actions to make abortions less accessible. Abortion laws and policieshave developed in a cyclic pattern. |
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