The U.S Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade and allowing states to come up with their own laws has created a firestorm of opinions.
In interviews with Connecticut teens and young adults, attitudes vary greatly on what happened and what needs to be done.
Queen, a 20-year-old who goes to the University of Connecticut, believes in personal choice.
Emilia Pinilla Photo.
Abriana Smith
“I think women should have the right to have abortions cause it’s our body,’’ she said. “Who’s the government to tell me what to do with my body? But at the same time, there needs to be balance. You can’t have abortions just because you want to. I think it really depends on the situation you’re in. They say it’s a land of freedom, but is it really if a group of men is deciding what women do with their body?”
Tahj Alex, 22, doesn’t believe in abortion but thinks men shouldn’t be able to control a woman’s body.
“Abortion is a complicated topic for me because I do not believe in abortions,’’ she said. “What I can say though is that it’s not right for the government to decide what a female or any human being should do with their body.”
Breanna Brown, 15, said that she feels emotional about this issue. Women should be able to have a say in what’s happening to their body, rather than being controlled and forced into something they might not want.
“There’s nothing I could do right now because I do not have enough power,” Brown said. “Ending legal abortion means that women are no longer safe in the country.”
Emilia Pinilla, 17, agrees.
“I think women should have the right to have abortions because it could be a case where you can’t provide for this kid so why would you bring a kid in the world and you can’t support them,’’ she said. “That’s unfair to you and the kid.”
Abriana Smith is a student at Achievement First Hartford High School.