Today's society is full of health concerns, unresolved and controversial issues. Many of these can be seen in relation to one's moral, ethical and religious beliefs, thus creating a society divided by opposing points of view. Today in the United States, abortion is one of the most controversial discussions affecting women simply because it has been said for many years that abortion should not be legal. Many who oppose abortion do not know what an abortion is, or even why a woman might choose to have an abortion. This research paper will discuss why it should be a woman's choice to have an abortion and will attempt to discuss the many reasons behind choosing an abortion. Abortions have been practiced since the times of the ancient world and are mentioned in some of the earliest known medical books. (Paul, 2009). Today, society has attached a stigma to the term abortion. Many who hear of a woman who has had an abortion automatically assume that she did not adequately protect herself from pregnancy before having sexual intercourse and therefore it is her fault. In many cases this is not the case. Society forgets to consider teenagers and women who have been raped or in some cases physically forced into a sexual act by a family member. Many in today's society believe that a woman should be forced to carry a child towards whom she will most likely feel resentment and dismiss the fact that the woman will be traumatized every time she looks at this child. One certainly hopes that this is not the case, but unfortunately in today's society that is exactly what is expected; “you put yourself in this situation, so now you have to live with your choices” is exactly what many people believe today. We as a society forget to take the...... center of the paper ...... Author) . (2011). Abortion statistics. Retrieved from http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art20384.asp Paul, Maureen (author). (2009). Management of unintended and abnormal pregnancy: comprehensive abortion care. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com/lib/ashford/Doc?id=10308197Religioustolerance.org. (2011). Stages of development, from egg and sperm to newborn. Retrieved from http://www.religioustolerance.org/abo_fetu.htmReproductiverights.org (2006). Harming young women who seek abortions. Retrieved from http://reproductiverights.org/en/document/the-teen-endangerment-act-hr-748-s8396403-harming-young-women-who-seek-abortionsStaggenborg, Suzanne (Author). (1991). Pro-choice movement: Organization and activism in the abortion conflict. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com/lib/ashford/Doc?id=10087219