Despite the landmark passage of Roe vs. Wade in 1973, a number of abortion issues were never dealt with. For example, on major question completely ignored in the decision was the issue of spousal consent in order for a married woman to receive an abortion. While many people supported Roe vs. Wade, and the woman’s right to choose an abortion, the fundamental question then became how much can she choose, and does the husband have any say in a life that he helped form? Obviously, balancing woman’s vs. men’s rights, then became a tougher issue in the battle over choice. This question was later answered in the Supreme Court case Planned Parenthood vs. Casey. This case set a judicial precedent stating that no woman, in any state, would ever need spousal consent before having an abortion. Despite this judicial precedent, across the United States, a total of ten states still have unenforceable laws pertaining to spousal consent, yet North Carolina is not one of them. Currently, there are certain grassroots organizations in North Carolina petitioning the state for a formal notice (not consent) to the other party whose child it is. Thanks to those who posted their comments to the last blog on Parental Notice Laws for underage abortions in North Carolina. I understand that some of you feel these laws are pointless, so how do you guys feel about spousal notice in North Carolina? Do you feel that spousal notice infringes upon a woman’s right to medical privacy?
UPDATE: Here is a link to a fairly recent (by legal terms) news link pertaining to spousal consent and the abortion issue: http://peoplepress.org/commentary/display.php3?AnalysisID=122.
3 comments:
I am glad you brought up this point in the topic because many people don't think about this aspect of abortion. Often times they just think about the female and neglect to remember the male. I do believe the man should be notified of the woman's decision....but in the end...who should be the defining factor?
I believe that the man should be notified of whatever the woman's decision is. However, as to the question of how much weight the woman's or man's decision on the woman's ultimate decision is still unclear. On one hand, it is the woman's body however, the child is both the man and woman's. So essentially, I don't know who should have the final say.
Spousal consent is crap. Its the woman's body and she has final say, end of story.
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