Blog Makeover

Throughout the discourse of this blog I have realized that simply arguing for (primarily) against abortion has become too broad of a topic in comparison to the issues that I would really like to focus my attention on. Therefore, in the continuation of this blog I will focus on state laws pertaining to abortion particularly in North Carolina. Specifically, I will focus on topics of parental and spousal consent, licensed physician requirements, post-viability abortion bans, public funding for abortions, and other issues that have been clearly defined by North Carolina state laws.

Arguments for the change, or support of current North Carolina state laws typically arise out of the two schools of thought for abortion on a whole. The first school of thought is typically referred to as the “pro-choice” thought, where people believe that a woman should have the ultimate choice of what occurs to her body. The second school of thought arises from those who define themselves as “pro-life ,” and support the child’s right to life despite what the mother may want for her body.

In North Carolina, despite our “bible-belt” stereotype, there are laws that support both sides to the abortion argument. For example, typically, the democratic party typically allies itself with the pro-choice platform, while, on the other hand, the republican party typically claims a pro-life platform.

Though historically North Carolina has voted republican in most presidential elections, and state champagnes, North Carolina was one of the first states to legislate the legality of abortion. Also, North Carolina has laws preventing the harassment or blockade of abortion clinics, provides state funds for abortions in certain cases, and upholds a standard for abortion clinics to provide a safe environment for abortions. Currently, the North Carolina legislature is trying to pass a bill that will provide equal medical insurance coverage for contraception, and despite the recent supreme court ruling on partial-births, is unlikely to adopt tougher laws on abortion.

But, despite North Carolina’s seemingly pro-choice laws, North Carolina also reflects its conservative stereotype through certain laws. For example, before Roe vs. Wade, North Carolina did have restrictions on abortions, despite the legality of abortions. Also, for a girl under the age of 18, parental consent, is required in order to obtain an abortion, with the exceptions including a counseling waiver, judicial bypass, or medical emergency. Not surprisingly, of the 100 counties in North Carolina, only 22 have abortion clinics, and of those no clinic will perform an abortion after the 20^th week of pregnancy per state law. Despite these laws, I was surprised to find an overall balance between both pro-choice and pro-life oriented laws in a state where students promote pro-life views in schools, and banks openly promote the nationwide, pro-life, Life Chain.

Thank you to all of those who commented on my last blog, and for the record, no, I do not support partial-births, or their practice, but I do want to be fair to the pro-choicers. I would like to state that I'm sure many of those who are pro-choice do not support of the partial birth practice. I do want to be careful not to generalize their beliefs, but at the same time, I wanted to clarify that point in case any of you were influenced in your current position on abortion by the last blog. If you would like any additional information on partial births, you can visit this site, but please beware that this site is very graphic in describing and diagramming the partial birth process.