The Constitutional Importance of Roe V. Wade and The Right to Privacy

TRIGGER WARNING: Abortion

In this episode, I cover the controversial Supreme Court decision with the overturn of Roe V. Wade and I share aspects of how this impacts other court cases outside of Abortion.

Roe did far more than establish the right to abortion; it solidified and expanded the constitutional “right to privacy," which has also been described as the right to autonomy or
to be let alone. This right to privacy is part of the right to liberty protected by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, which state that no person shall be deprived of “life, liberty or
property, without due process of law.

The Constitution’s protection of liberty and privacy underlies the Supreme Court’s recognition of fundamental rights related to contraception and procreation, marriage, family relations, child-rearing, and intimacy. Although The Court’s recognition of the right to privacy predates Roe, Roe is an important affirmation of and foundation for a broad array of privacy rights. While not exclusively dependent on Roe, Roe influenced privacy principles in each of these
areas—principles that could be undermined if the Supreme court overturns Roe - Which unfortunately is what now has happened.

Resources: NATIONAL WOMEN’S LAW CENTER - https://nwlc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Even-More-Than-Abortion-1.pdf