Title: Why Abortion Access Matters for College Students
As a college student at CUNY, I’ve seen how hard it is to balance classes, work, and personal responsibilities, which is why access to affordable reproductive healthcare is so important for students like us. Abortion rights and reproductive healthcare is not just a political issue, it is something that can directly affect the prosperity of students’ lives. College students should have affordable and accessible abortion services because restricted access harms their education, financial stability, and personal autonomy.
One of the biggest barriers students encounter is cost. Abortion services in the United States can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the stage of pregnancy and location. According to the Guttmacher Institute, “the average cost of a first-trimester abortion is about $500,” a price that can be overwhelming for students already struggling with tuition, rent, and daily expenses (Guttmacher Institute). For many CUNY students, who often come from low income, this cost may not be realistic. When students aren’t able to afford care they can delay making a decision, which can lead to more complicated and expensive procedures later on.
Beyond cost, access to clinics is another serious matter. Even in a city like New York, where abortion is legal, not all students can easily reach a provider. Some may even experience long wait times, limited appointment availability etc. Between class schedules, work shifts, and transportation challenges, finding the time and means to travel to a clinic can be difficult. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that “barriers to timely abortion care can have significant consequences for patients’ health and well-being” (ACOG). For students, these delays can mean missing classes, falling behind academically, or even dropping out altogether.
The impact of limited access is not just financial or logistical, but can fall heavily on the personal level. Being forced to continue an unwanted pregnancy can affect a student’s mental health, future plans, and sense of self direction in their own life. Imagine being the first in your family to go to college, with big dreams for your future, only for an unintended pregnancy to suddenly change everything. Being forced to continue that pregnancy could mean pausing or giving up their education entirely, changing the course of their life in ways they never chose. The feeling of losing control over your own future can be overwhelming. Research from the Turnaway Study found that people denied abortions were more likely to experience economic hardship and less likely to achieve educational goals (Foster et al.). College is often a time when people are figuring out their goals, identities and self love. Violation of bodily integrity about one’s own body can interrupt that process in many ways.
Some people argue that abortion should be restricted and that choices like adoption are better solutions. While adoption is a reasonable choice for some, it does not state the physical, emotional, and financial realities of pregnancy itself. Pregnancy can involve health risks, time away from school or work, and major stress. Framing adoption as a simple fix ignores these personal trauma and removes the individual’s right to decide what happens to their own body. Students should not be placed into a situation that could jeopardize their academic progress and long term goals.
In addition, abortion rights are fundamentally linked to broader issues of equality. Students with more financial resources can travel out of state or pay for private care, while lower class students often cannot. This creates a system where only some people would have a choice. Making abortion access affordable helps create a more fair and equal society of a person’s background. When the cost is not a problem, students and others with limited financial resources can make informed choices about their lives, health, and futures. This makes sure that personal choices are based on individual needs and occurences, rather than on the ability to pay.
Ultimately, I believe that abortion access extends beyond healthcare and represents a matter of opportunity. When students have control over their reproductive choices, they are more likely to stay in school, achieve their goals, and build stable futures. Limiting access does the opposite: it places further obligations on those who are already working hard to succeed.
If colleges and communities truly care about student success, they must recognize that reproductive healthcare, including abortion, is a contributing factor of that equation. Students should not have to choose between their education and their self determination. Making abortion services affordable and accessible is not just an ethical responsibility, but a necessary step in protecting the futures of college students.
Works Cited
Guttmacher Institute.
“Induced Abortion in the United States.”
https://www.guttmacher.org
Explanation:
This source provides statistics about abortion in the U.S., including cost and access. I used it to support my argument about how expensive abortion services are and how that affects college students financially.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
“Barriers to Abortion Care.”
https://www.acog.org
Explanation:
This is a credible medical organization. I used it to explain how delays and lack of access to abortion services can affect health and well-being, strengthening my argument with expert opinion (ethos).
Foster, Diana Greene, et al.
The Turnaway Study: Ten Years, a Thousand Women, and the Consequences of Having—or Being Denied—an Abortion.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4642756/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Explanation:
This study provides research on what happens to people who are denied abortions. I used it to show the long term effects on education and finances, supporting my argument with real world evidence.
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