By: Valerie Tonn This year’s election Day marks a monumental day for Ohio, as the state became the seventh in the nation where voters ruled to protect abortion rights (Smyth, 2023). As June 2022 overturned Roe v. Wade, states have been able to determine their own rules regarding abortion (Smyth, 2023). While it has been found that two-thirds of Americans feel as if abortion should be legal in the early stages of abortion (Smyth, 2023). Ohio’s Issue 1 legislature allows for one to make their own choices regarding reproductive health (Smyth, 2023). This includes things like abortion, birth control, fertility treatments, and even miscarriages (Smyth, 2023).
In 2020, there were 14.4 abortions for every 1000 women between the ages of 15 to 44 and 57% of these women were in their 20s (Diamant, 2023). Of these women, 31% were in their 30s (Diamant, 2023). The majority of these abortions occurred during the first trimester before 13 weeks, with this percentage being 93% (Diamant, 2023).
Divides against abortion have continued to be broad, with religion being one of the causes (Blazina, 2022). Approximately 83% of adults who are considered unaffiliated with religion, believe abortion should be legal, along with six tenths of Catholics (Blazina, 2022). Protestants are split in half almost on their opinions (Blazina, 2022). Along with religion, politics have kept people divided on abortion (Blazina, 2022). Currently 84% of democrats believe abortion should be legal while onlly 38% of republicans also believe in this legalization (Blazina, 2022).
To bridge the gap between those who agree and don’t agree with the protection of abortion rights, we should look towards reasoning between politics and faith (Blazina, 2022). As difficult as this may be, looking towards opinion leaders in these parties and hold a conversation to understand the reasoning between each side. With states ruling in favor of the protection of these rights, these efforts to protect abortion rights can be made through dedication and continued conversation. These efforts would help to encourage less risky procedures of illegal abortions and put women’s health at less risks in these scenarios.
References: Blazina, C. (2022, July 15). Key facts about the abortion debate in America. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/07/15/key-facts-about-the-abortion-debate -in-america/ Diamant, J. (2023, January 11). What the data says about abortion in the U.S. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/01/11/what-the-data-says-about-abortion-i n-the-u-s-2/ Smyth, J. C. (2023, November 8). Ohio election results: Abortion access enshrined in Constitution in win for Reproductive Rights. ABC7 Los Angeles. https://abc7.com/election-day-2023-ohio-results-issue-1-voting/14024254/
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