Abortion In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

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Taboos will always be a part of the American society. One American taboo that has been around for a while is abortion. Abortion was first considered a taboo back in the 19th century. Abortion is considered a taboo because it is an action that is frowned upon in American society, even though it is legal. Americans consider abortion a taboo because they believe it is unacceptable to take the life of an unborn child. In the play A Raisin in the Sun the taboo of abortion comes up when Mrs. Youngers decides she is going to have an abortion with her next child. The Younger family was completely shocked once they heard Mrs. Youngers decision and forced her not to follow through with the abortion.
Abortion has been a taboo for a long time and will most likely remain a taboo. “Abortion is seen as a taboo in today’s society …show more content…
And I’m waiting to hear you talk like him and say we a people who give children life, not who destroys them. I’m waiting to see you stand up and look like your daddy and say we don’t give up one baby to poverty and that we ain’t going to give up nary another one…I’m waiting (Raisin in the Sun Act 1 Scene 2)
In this quote Momma is trying to have Walter stand up for his future family by telling his wife that she is not going through with the abortion because the emotional repercussions would be devastating. This shows that even during that time period abortion was frowned upon in society like it is today. Abortion in today’s society is seen as an act of evil it is even seen as a sin in most Christian communities. Research shows that a fetus is considered a human being about sixteen to seventeen weeks after fertilization (Larson). Christians believe that the fetus is a living being and performing an abortion is the same as murdering an innocent child, which is forbidden in the Christian faith. Christians also argue that only God can take the lives of others and performing and abortion is against Gods
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