Abortion

Abortion is one of the most divisive and controversial legal subjects in the United States, where federal law has protected a woman's right to choose an abortion since the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. Some states have limited access to abortion through legislation and other means, as pressure from both sides of the debate have made abortion a highly volatile area of law. This section includes summaries of abortion law throughout U.S. history; specific abortion-related laws in various states; a detailed account of Roe v. Wade; an explanation of parental consent laws; and related resources.

Learn About Abortion

Background
Learn the definition of abortion, and the how current abortion law developed from the common law of England to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade.
Abortion Laws
There are several different ways to abort a fetus. This article explains the definitions and legal requirements for each one, as well as a few abortion related medical terms.
Abortion Rights FAQ
Find answers to frequently asked questions about abortion, including what to do when parents disagree about an abortion, the legal rights of fetuses, and whether and when abortions are legal.

Roe v. Wade
Read all about the most important case in abortion law – who the parties were, why they went to court, and what the outcome meant for generations of women.
After Roe v. Wade
Roe v. Wade was the first US Supreme Court decision to give women the right to choose to have an abortion. Find out how abortion law continues to evolve in this article.
Birth Control and the Law Basics
Birth control has a long history, and the right to have it is the result of many political activists’ hard work. Read about its history and the state of birth control rights today.

Abortion Articles