The argument for abortion (pro-choice) applies reciprocal respect as a criterion for appropriate versus inappropriate abortion. In practice, this implies that a woman has a right to abortion if:
Group of answer choices
(a) The father thinks that a termination of the pregnancy is in the couples best interest.
(b) The relationship between the mother and the fetus is biologically and/or socially inadequate.
(c) The mother has made a decision solely for her own good.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: (b) The relationship between the mother and the fetus is biologically and/or socially inadequate.
Explanation:
The pro-choice argument for abortion is built on the principle of reciprocal respect, which means recognizing and respecting the autonomy of individuals. According to this view, a woman should have the right to make decisions about her own body, including the right to terminate a pregnancy if certain conditions are met. The core idea is that the relationship between the woman and the fetus, as well as the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy, should be factors in deciding whether abortion is morally acceptable.
Option (b) focuses on the idea that a woman might choose to have an abortion if the relationship between her and the fetus is “biologically and/or socially inadequate.” This could mean a variety of things, such as the pregnancy endangering the woman’s health or life, the fetus having severe health issues that would result in suffering or death, or the woman’s personal or social circumstances being such that she cannot care for a child.
The notion of an “inadequate” relationship is central because it highlights that forcing a woman to continue with a pregnancy under these circumstances could impose undue harm on her, which contradicts the idea of respecting her autonomy and well-being.
In contrast, option (a) suggests that the father’s opinion should determine the right to abortion, which undermines the autonomy of the woman. In the pro-choice framework, the decision to terminate a pregnancy should be made by the woman herself.
Option (c), which implies that a woman should make a decision solely for her own good, misses the broader context of social and biological factors. Pro-choice arguments often consider more than just the woman’s self-interest; they account for her ability to care for the child, the health risks involved, and the quality of life for both the woman and the fetus.