Abortion and Feminism

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the article, "Abortion and The Sexual Agenda," written by Sidney Callahan, in which she argues that the pro-choice movement has actually been harmful to the cause of feminism, pushing women toward a male-oriented version of sexuality and allowing them to become associated with the mass killing of unborn babies. The paper discusses her arguments.

Table of Contents:
The Callahan Argument
The Moral Right to Control One's Body
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Callahan (1986) claims that, because there is no moral justification for abortion, pro-choice feminists have aligned themselves with an immoral practice that hurts the cause of feminism. But Callahan's contention that there is no moral right to control one's own body when it is keeping another being alive is undermined by society's treatment of undeveloped and under-developed conjoined twins. In these cases, society clearly recognizes a moral right to control one's body, even at the expense of another being that Callahan would define as living and human. The moral right that Callahan claims does not exist, is, in fact, very present. And if there is a moral argument that can be extended to abortion, then Callahan's contention that pro-choice feminists have aligned themselves with an immoral practice can not be fully defended."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Callahan, S. (1986). "Abortion & the sexual agenda." Commonwealth, April 25: 232-38.

More papers on Abortion and Feminism:

• Analytical Essay # 72985 : "Pro-Life Feminism"
• Analytical Essay # 147177 : "Abortion as a Sociological Issue"
• Argumentative Essay # 50987 : "'Partial Birth' Abortion"

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