Amoriana Davis
For most people, freedom of choice is a pillar of American society. The prospect and interpretation of “freedom” is most challenged by our generation of teenagers. We are more accepting of sexuality, the prospect of choice in abortion, and true freedom for all. For most of our generation, freedom is what separates America from many and is one of the reasons that Amendment 1 is such a controversial issue amongst young Tennesseans.
Amendment 1 is going to be on the ballot November 4, 2014 and states, “Shall Article I, of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated section: Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mothers”.
All in all, the document states that regardless of circumstance, people will not be able to make choices that they believe best suit them. However, the government will be in charge of decisions that can change the course of one’s life.
One of the major oppositions to this amendment is that this document would disregard the resolution that came as a result Planned Parenthood vs. Sundquist, a legal dispute that resulted in Tennessee as a free-choice state and includes the right of discretion vis-à-vis a woman’s discretion in pregnancy planning choices.
Many people feel that approving Amendment 1 will cut down on the number of abortions or that people won’t be able to take advantage of a program meant to help people that are truly in need.
Because Amendment 1 works in opposition to Tennessee as a freedom of choice state, there has been a large uproar because Tennessee has been the only place for many in the South that needed or requested termination.
However, there isn’t only an uproar for termination. Amendment 1 doesn’t allow freedom of choice during pregnancy, even for mothers who want to sacrifice their lives for their child. All matters of life and death would have to be presented to the government, and without governmental consent, the person would not be allowed to continue their procedure.
Amendment 1, no matter what religious beliefs a person holds, does put a hindrance on a value that most people hold dear: freedom of choice.
For most people, freedom of choice is a pillar of American society. The prospect and interpretation of “freedom” is most challenged by our generation of teenagers. We are more accepting of sexuality, the prospect of choice in abortion, and true freedom for all. For most of our generation, freedom is what separates America from many and is one of the reasons that Amendment 1 is such a controversial issue amongst young Tennesseans.
Amendment 1 is going to be on the ballot November 4, 2014 and states, “Shall Article I, of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated section: Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mothers”.
All in all, the document states that regardless of circumstance, people will not be able to make choices that they believe best suit them. However, the government will be in charge of decisions that can change the course of one’s life.
One of the major oppositions to this amendment is that this document would disregard the resolution that came as a result Planned Parenthood vs. Sundquist, a legal dispute that resulted in Tennessee as a free-choice state and includes the right of discretion vis-à-vis a woman’s discretion in pregnancy planning choices.
Many people feel that approving Amendment 1 will cut down on the number of abortions or that people won’t be able to take advantage of a program meant to help people that are truly in need.
Because Amendment 1 works in opposition to Tennessee as a freedom of choice state, there has been a large uproar because Tennessee has been the only place for many in the South that needed or requested termination.
However, there isn’t only an uproar for termination. Amendment 1 doesn’t allow freedom of choice during pregnancy, even for mothers who want to sacrifice their lives for their child. All matters of life and death would have to be presented to the government, and without governmental consent, the person would not be allowed to continue their procedure.
Amendment 1, no matter what religious beliefs a person holds, does put a hindrance on a value that most people hold dear: freedom of choice.