THE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE LEGAL REGIME OF ABORTION: A COMPARATIVE VIEW
THE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE LEGAL REGIME OF ABORTION: A COMPARATIVE VIEW

Summary/Abstract: In this paper, we will analyse the legal regimes of abortion, in different period of times and in different countries, as we try to reveal the influence of a certain legal regime of abortion in people’s lives, as well as at social and legal level. Unlike other aspects closely connected to humans, the abortion issue has known a very wide range of legal regimes. In ancient times, people tolerated abortion, and sometimes considered that abortion was necessary. The rise of Christianity has brought the idea that the fetus must be valued, therefore abortion was banned. The 20th century knows the emergence of some social and ideological movements, such as feminism, which claimed that the regime of abortion must be liberalized. These movements, along with the change of social mentalities, have lead to the liberalization of abortion. The landmark of the liberalization of abortion in western societies is thought to be the decision ruled by the Supreme Court of the United States of America in the case Roe v. Wade, in 1973. Since then, many states adopted a liberal regime of abortion. As regards the social consequences of the different ways to regulate abortion, it was proved that a severe prohibition of abortion leads to an increased number of illegal abortions, often with negative consequences on the pregnant women. Due to this fact, we believe that the liberal regime of abortion is the right choice, because it offers real solutions to people’s problems concerning abortion.

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