The Overturn of Roe v. Wade

The Roe v. Wade ruling by the US Supreme Court in 1973 acknowledged a constitutional right to abortion under the Fourteenth Amendment’s implied right to privacy. For nearly five decades, it provided a federal standard that balanced the rights of pregnant individuals with the interests of the state. In 2022, the Court overturned Roe in Dobbs v. Jackson, removing those protections and giving states full authority to regulate abortion.

This reversal has been linked to increasing political influence by conservative religious groups, judicial appointments aligned with their beliefs, and broader ideological shifts within American governance. Critics argue the ruling reflects religious ideology more than legal precedent, raising First Amendment concerns and threatening other civil liberties.

Research suggests that this legal change disproportionately affects marginalized communities—particularly low-income, Black, and Indigenous women—who face limited healthcare access and economic mobility. The reversal of Roe also has global implications due to the influence of U.S. foreign aid and policy norms.

Works Cited

• Coen-Sanchez, Karine, et al. “Repercussions of Overturning Roe v. Wade.” Reproductive Health, 2022.
• Gold, Martin E. “The Demise of Roe v. Wade Undermines Freedom of Religion.” American Constitution Society, 2022.
• Montanaro, Domenico. “Poll: Majorities Oppose Supreme Court’s Abortion Ruling.” NPR, 2022.
• Taddonio, Patrice. “Documentaries Show How We Got Here.” PBS Frontline, 2022.
• “Roe v. Wade and Supreme Court Abortion Cases.” Brennan Center for Justice, 2022.