Abortion,Partial-Birth Abortion,and Adolescent Access to Abortion: An Overview for Social Workers

Although the U.S Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion in 1973, intense controversy over access, legality, and morality has persisted ever since that landmark decision. National opinion data collected from 1975 to 2007 show that a majority of Americans support a woman's right to an abortion, but this right is increasingly under attack, and recent proposed changes to abortion access are not in line with how most Americans feel. This paper considers public opinion trends in the sharply divided arenas of abortion, partial-birth abortion, and adolescents' rights to access abortion with a critical eye to social work practice. We explore several opportunities for social workers to advocate for clients, including legislative advocacy, reform through litigation, social action, and social policy analysis.     

试论美国妇女争取堕胎权利的斗争

美国60年代轰轰烈烈的群众运动为妇女争取堕胎权利运动奠定了政治基础。1973年美国联邦最高法院在罗诉韦德案中作出判决,妇女拥有决定是否生育的宪法权利,堕胎是妇女的隐私权。这标志着美国妇女争取堕胎权利的斗争取得阶段性胜利。罗诉韦德案后,主张维护妇女堕胎"选择权"的自由派与保护未出生胎儿"生命权"的保守派之间的较量更为激烈;民主党和共和党分别持赞成或反对堕胎的立场,使妇女争取堕胎权利的斗争变得错综复杂。