Abstract
This paper examines the ethical issues of abortion from a framework of undue burden. The definition of undue burden of abortion is taken from Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey (1992) supreme court decision and states: “its purpose or effect is to place a substantial obstacle in the path of the woman seeking an abortion before the fetus attains viability.” Specifically, this paper argues that abortion restrictions waiting periods and parental involvement do in fact place an undue burden on individuals seeking abortion. This paper utilizes a feminist ethics lens by addressing issues that disproportionately impact women and considering the institutionalized systems that surround abortion restrictions. Feminist ethics viewpoint accounts for power structures that disproportionately impact groups with less power in society. The paper concludes by discussing counterarguments and discussing the unconstitutional nature of waiting periods and parental consent.
Language
English
Publication Place
Tacoma, Washington
Publisher
The University of Puget Sound
Recommended Citation
Scott, Samantha
(2017)
"The ‘Undue Burden’ of restrictions on abortion: A feminist bioethics analysis,"
Sound Decisions: An Undergraduate Bioethics Journal: Vol. 3:
Iss.
1, Article 1.
Available at:
https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/sounddecisions/vol3/iss1/1