The Lasting Legacy of Roe v. Wade: Protecting a Variety of Rights Beyond Abortion

Introduction

The US Supreme Court’s 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade is one of the most consequential cases in history. Its subject matter – abortion – is one of the most controversial and divisive issues of our time. But despite the focus on abortion, Roe also established precedent that goes far beyond the issue of a woman’s right to choose. In this article, we’ll examine the case at large and all of the other rights it protecting in its wake.

The Original Case

When Roe v. Wade, a case which pitted the state of Texas against plaintiff Norma McCorvey (also known as Jane Roe), the original goal was to challenge a Texas law criminalizing abortion. Roe’s legal counsel, led by Sarah Weddington and Linda Coffee, argued that the law was unconstitutional and violated the plaintiff’s right to privacy.

Their argument referenced the 14th Amendment and the various precedents it had set, focusing on the “invisible” constitutional rights and freedoms that should be protected regardless of age, gender and race. After long deliberations, justices Harry Blackmun and William Brennan’s majority opinion proved in favor of Roe and declared that the “right to privacy” was protected by the US Constitution in matters of abortion.

But these two justices went further, arguing that abortion is only one small part of the larger picture. The handling of their majority opinion established a baseline of rights that needed to be protected and respected by state and federal governments.

The Broader Impact

The broader impact of the Roe decision has had a ripple effect on many other cases related to civil rights, privacy issues, and even rape and sexual abuse. Chiefly, the case serves as protection for those seeking to challenge laws that may be unconstitutionally restricting their right to privacy. This right has been applied to issues such as birth control, sexual orientation, gender identity, and more, further upholding Roe’s importance as a cornerstone of freedom and privacy.

In short, understanding Roe v. Wade as only an abortion case would be misguided. The decision has completely changed the landscape of civil and constitutional rights, protecting citizens everywhere from intrusive laws and regulations. The case has been an integral part of the struggle to expand civil rights for all, and it created an avenue for those who historically lacked protection, such as victims of rape and abuse, to fight for and gain necessary legal aid.

Conclusion

Roe v. Wade is a landmark case. While it’s most famous for establishing a woman’s right to choose, its ruling had a much larger impact than just abortion. The decision set new precedents for civil rights and privacy, forever intertwining two of the most fundamental American rights. Without the right to privacy our nation’s most personal and important decisions could easily be up for debate and regulation. But thanks to the historic Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling, our right to privacy has held steady and become an important factor in upholding our civil rights as a nation.