Abortion

• Abortion is a controversial topic with many debates over its legality and ethics.
• Offred's mother's time was similar to the current debate over abortion rights, with abortion being legal in many countries but recently made illegal in some states due to the overturning of Roe v Wade.
• Doctors can be hung on the wall for carrying out abortions, as seen in chapter six of THT.
• Many feel that it is a woman's right to decide what happens with her own body.
• Her psychological state may be at risk in pregnancy, especially in cases of rape, as seen in chapter 13 where Janine had an abortion at 14 due to being gang raped.
• The ethical problem of who to save when a mother is at risk from the pregnancy is always prevalent.
• Pro-life advocates argue that banning abortions doesn't end them from being carried out, it encourages 'back street abortionists' and women to have dangerous and fatal attempts at illegal abortion.
• In chapter 20, these attitudes are displayed by the feminists marching.
• Many debate about whether abortions should be allowed after finding out of a serious deformity, with some arguing that a foetus with very minor deformities will begin to be aborted for the sake of appearance.
• Offred states in chapter 20 that there are no scans in Gilead as 'what would be the point in knowing, anyways? You can't have it taken out, whatever it is must be carried to term'.
• Those that accept abortion still debate over what is the latest time a foetus should be able to be aborted, as it is becoming increasingly possible to save premature babies earlier.
• Many believe that abortion is used as a contraception due to the increasing number of abortions occurring.
• Pro Life advocates believe that abortion is equal to murder as they see the foetus as a full human being from conception.
• Campaigners have targeted abortion clinics, harassing women on the premises.
• It has even escalated to the murder of surgeons that perform abortions, as they are seen by murderers by pro-lifers.
• In chapter 8, offred sees a funeral of a miscarried foetus, as healthy children are so rare in this world that even foetuses have funerals.
• Offred states in chapter 2, 'no women in her right mind, these days, would seek to prevent a birth, should she be so lucky to conceive'.