The effects roe vs wade had on society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The effects roe vs wade had on society - Essay Example This essay examines the effects of the legalization of abortion on the United States political spectrum and on the effect it has had on the rights of women, and also attempts to quantify a shift in moral standards that critics and religious leaders claim are a direct result of the Supreme Court’s decision. One of the main effects of the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court ruling has been the significant reverberations felt by the political spectrum. In the wake of the decision the Republicans and Democrats political parties experienced a decisive split in perspectives that further divided the two major groups (Aster 8). With the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, the Republican Party defined itself as pro-life (Aster 5). During 2004, the Republican platform outlined their position stating, â€Å"†¦we say the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed (Doan 90).† The same year the Democratic Party issued a pro-choice proclamation, â€Å"Because we believe in the privacy and equality of women, we stand proudly for a woman’s right to choose, consistent with Roe v. Wade (Doan 91).† Whereas previously party affiliations had been contingent on the member’s education or income level, the world after Roe vs. Wade increasingly expe rienced divisions based further on religious distinctions (Aster 194). As the two parties become increasingly divided in their political perspectives, a number of analysts and cultural critics noted a decrease in productive dialogue between the competing parties. For example, since the decision the appointment of Supreme Court Justices has focused predominantly on their stance on the abortion issue (Aster 198). Another important impact Roe vs. Wade had on society was changing the status of women. Feminists argue that the legalization of abortion has given women greater control over their lives and futures and had