Why Bodily Autonomy Should Not Depend on Violation

A popular TikTok video recently sparked an important discussion around women's reproductive rights and bodily autonomy. In the video, content creator Liz argues against the position that abortion should only be allowed in cases of sexual assault. She makes a compelling case that this viewpoint imposes one's own morality onto others and denies women full autonomy over their own bodies.

The Argument Against Restricting Access

Liz breaks down several key issues with restricting abortion to only cases of sexual assault. First, she notes that this is essentially placing your own beliefs about how people "should or should not live" onto someone else. Medical decisions are personal matters that vary greatly between individuals based on their circumstances.

She also points out how this restriction disregards "the expertise of medical professionals." Doctors are trained to evaluate a patient's situation and determine the best course of treatment. Politicians and legislators typically do not have the same clinical knowledge and training when making laws around healthcare procedures.

Autonomy Should Not Depend on Violation

Perhaps the most compelling part of Liz's argument is that restricting access to only cases of sexual assault means "a woman should only be able to have autonomy over her body if she has been violated." This implies that a woman is not entitled to make her own medical decisions and control her own body unless she has undergone a traumatic experience. Her right to choose what happens to her body should not hinge on whether or not she has been assaulted.

A Personal Medical Decision

At its core, the decision of whether or not to continue a pregnancy is an intensely personal medical matter that varies greatly between individuals and circumstances. As Liz states, we do not get into cars with the intent to crash or die—we do so for transportation purposes. Similarly, women do not become pregnant with the goal of terminating; but when an unwanted pregnancy occurs, they should have the right to bodily autonomy and medical choice.

FAQs

Is Bodily Autonomy an Absolute Right?

While bodily autonomy is a fundamental human right, there are some reasonable limitations such as laws against assault or requirements for vaccinations in schools. However, restricting abortion access infringes on medical decision making between a patient and doctor and risks women's health and lives.

At What Point Does a Fetus Gain Rights?

There is no agreed upon point where a fetus gains rights equivalent to an individual. Most experts agree this occurs later in pregnancy nearer to viability outside the womb. Prior to that, a woman's established right to bodily autonomy should take precedence over potential fetal rights that have not developed.

Aren't Late-Term Abortions Immoral?

The vast majority of abortions, over 90%, occur during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. Later abortions are rare and usually due to severe fetal anomalies or risks to the woman's health. Morality does not outweigh medical judgment in complex pregnancies close to delivery.

In Summary

As Liz so eloquently argues in her viral video, restricting abortion access only to cases of sexual assault violates basic principles of bodily autonomy, medical ethics, and personal decision making. Whether or not a woman has experienced trauma should have no bearing on her right to make private healthcare choices about her own body and pregnancy outcome. Her position sheds important light on why all women deserve comprehensive reproductive choice and control over their futures.