Freakonomics argument about crime and abortion

Those on the Supreme Court who voted to strike down Roe v. Wade apparently did not consider the long-term consequences of their decision on crime in this country.

When Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973, the rate of serious crime in the country was through the roof.

Twenty years later, in the mid-1990s, the crime rate decreased dramatically in the

U.S. because Roe v. Wade had enabled those women most likely to have an abortion — low-income, unmarried teenage girls and women — to legally, safely and less expensively get an abortion.

Those unborn children would have been much more likely to turn to crime as adults, had it not been for Roe v. Wade.

The Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade

June 24, 2022 marked SCOTUS's reversal of 49-year old Roe v. Wade and returns laws on abortion to the states.

Contraception, surgical sterilization and drugs that induce rejection of a fertilized egg the “morning after,” plus widespread education, should minimize unwanted pregnancies.

Women and men both can adapt and avail themselves of these birth control methods.

In the case of unwanted pregnancies, society must provide avenues for women to receive prenatal care and for the babies to be adopted.

Abortion should be up to the states

Abortion is not a constitutional right and this matter belongs to the states.

That said, I am grateful California maintains lawful access to abortion. For me, the point of contention is late-term abortions. I would like some controls added to our abortion laws in California.

I agree with the old statement that abortions should be safe, legal and rare, especially with the availability of the “day after pill” that young people know about. Plus they have access to birth control pills if they are sexually active.

On a related note, I see a real backlash to California becoming a “sanctuary” state for abortion services.

I don't think my taxpayer dollars should go toward bringing in women from out of state to have an abortion here in California. Are Californians liable for allowing this against the home state rules? Can of worms I think.