Decision marks 26th anniversary

DAVID ROCHKIND/Daily Planned Parenthood provides counseling services for patients making decisions about pregnancy.

By Kelly O'Connor
Daily Staff Reporter

On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court ruled federal laws against abortion were unconstitutional. Roe v. Wade , a landmark case, evoked cheers from supporters and dismay from the opposition. Twenty-six years later, the issue is still a hot topic with members on both sides.

LSA sophomore Jennifer Anderson, a member of Students for Choice, said a common misconception among supporters is that the fight to legalize abortion was won in the Supreme Court.

"Many people are really unfamiliar with legislation in the last few years" that has attempted to limit women's access to abortion, Anderson said.

Anderson said many supporters of abortion rights are intimidated by the aggressive tactics pro-life groups employ to get their point across.

"The simplest thing that most people won't do is admit they are pro-choice - people are afraid of even saying it," Anderson said.

But opponents of abortion are satisfied to see the government exercise its power to restrict the availability the practice.

"I think it's positive when there are any type of non-violent actions taken against abortion," said LSA junior Melissa Osborn, president of Students for Life during the group's candlelight vigil in the Diag last night.

"These restrictions are ways in which we will hopefully eliminate abortion," she said.

LSA first-year student Andrew Shirvell, a member of Students for Life, said statistics show young people are not in favor of abortion.

"This is the first generation that has lived under abortion, ... that has lost brothers and sisters and potential friends," Shirvell said. "Less than one-third of young people feel abortion should be available on demand" without any restrictions. Stephanie Hausman, public affairs specialist for Ann Arbor Planned Parenthood, said anniversaries like Roe v. Wade are usually times to celebrate.

"We've certainly seen many gains in the safety of abortions and in women's health," Hausman said. "But we can't celebrate fully, because access to abortion is being limited for many women. They may have the right, but they can't access it."

Hausman said Michigan legislation - such as the bill requiring parental consent before a minor can receive an abortion and the decision in 1988 that Medicaid would no longer fund abortions - have set back the cause.

"The legislation and violence and harassment have caused the number of providers to drop steadily over the years," Hausman said. "It has added to the difficulty of being a provider."

Students for Life member Leigh Clark, a University alumnus, said the fight against abortion has seen both gains and losses.

"I think (abortion) has become more ingrained and accepted," Clark said. "But at the same time, there is a resurgence of the pro-life movement that is very strong and not isolated."

Abortion is legal in the U. S., but individual states can pass legislation placing limits on who can access abortion and where it can be performed.

Michigan has several restrictions on the availability of abortion, including a 24-hour waiting period for women who schedule abortions and a ban on partial-birth abortion.

According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, the national abortion rate has declined since 1980.

Statistics from a study performed in 1994 show that almost 60 percent of pregnancies are unintended - either unwanted or mistimed.

Each year, three of 100 women aged 15-44 have an abortion, the study said. Anderson said Students for Choice was formed as a resource for students on campus to get information on abortion. Members of the group are assembling a collection of literature on women's reproductive rights.

Students for Choice will be in Angell Hall today in honor of the anniversary of the decision. The organization plans to distribute information on ways to become active in their cause.

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