The Evolution of "Roe v. Wade"

Paper Summary:

The paper briefly traces the case of "Roe v. Wade" from inception to the Supreme Court, and then discusses its significance. The paper examines the manner in which this case's aftermath has affected the politics and policy associated with the issue of abortion and other "rights" issues, as they occur on a state by state and federal basis.

From the Paper:

"Roe v. Wade is probably the most recognized of all US Supreme Court rulings of the 20th century. Yet, few people are aware of the facts that precipitate its history and evolution. The case itself was demonstrative of a trend to develop litigation as a tool for social change, that followed Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. (Rubin, 1987, pp. 1-2) Yet, like all Supreme Court rulings Roe vs. Wade was required to pass through all subsequent courts in conjunction with the source of the law or question answered or raised in the case. This means that the Roe vs. Wade began at the US District Court in Texas, where two enterprising attorneys sought to challenge the pre-civil war Texas law making abortion illegal in every case with the only exception being the imminent death of the mother."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Campbell, R. (2003). Gone to Texas: A History of the Lone Star State. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Conway, K. S., & Butler, M. R. (1992). State Abortion Legislation as a Public Good--Before and After Roe V. Wade. Economic Inquiry, 30(4), 609-626.
• Rubin, E. R. (1987). Abortion, Politics, and the Courts: Roe v. Wade and Its Aftermath. New York: Greenwood Press.

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