THE DOBBS V. JACKSON DECISION: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF ITS FOUNDATIONS AND IMPACT ON DEMOCRATIC EDUCATION
Keywords:
Reproductive Rights, Dobbs v. Jackson, Roe v. Wade, Democratic EducationAbstract
The 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization fundamentally altered the landscape of reproductive rights by overturning Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, thereby eliminating the federal constitutional right to abortion and delegating regulatory authority to individual states [41, 55]. This article critically analyzes the Dobbs majority opinion, scrutinizing its legal reasoning, particularly its originalist interpretation of constitutional history, and its significant departure from the principle of stare decisis [25, 55, 66]. It comprehensively examines the profound and multifaceted societal consequences stemming from this decision, including a projected increase in maternal mortality rates, the exacerbation of pre-existing health disparities—especially among marginalized communities—and widespread confusion regarding abortion pill access [15, 24, 34, 45, 52]. The article also explores the substantial economic implications for women and families, as well as the perceived vulnerability of other fundamental rights rooted in privacy and autonomy, such as access to contraception and same-sex marriage, in the wake of Dobbs [9, 42, 64]. Furthermore, this analysis investigates the critical repercussions for democratic education, illuminating how the decision fundamentally challenges the capacity for informed civic participation and intensifies existing issues within comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and reproductive health instruction [48, 50, 63, 67]. It delves into specific state-level implications, including the impact on maternal care deserts and the compounded barriers faced by the LGBTQ+ community [15, 58]. The article underscores the urgent need for democratic education to proactively foster critical thinking, encourage respectful and open dialogue, and promote active civic engagement as essential mechanisms to address these complex, evolving challenges and uphold the principles of an equitable and informed citizenry.
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