The issue of a woman’s right to her own body, within the last few decades, has become a progressively intriguing social dilemma in American society. More specifically the topic of abortion is not as taboo as it was thirty years ago although the debate has continued as to whether or not the decision should rest solely on the woman. Merriam Webster defines abortion as the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus as induced expulsion of the human fetus. This is a controversial subject that can be argued quite effectively for or against a woman’s right to choose. The three major sociological perspectives of conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, and functionalism …show more content…

Georg Simmel was a somewhat of a symbolic interactionist throughout his work in the field of sociology. It is not clearly evident as to which side Simmel would take on the matter of abortion, but he is an advocate of freedom of choice. He celebrates the lack of order within society because, to Simmel, it is an indication of freedom and individualism. Symbolic interactionism directs the sociologist to examine symbols and details in people’s lives, determine what the symbols mean, and how these people interact with one another day to day. He would have most likely observed the actions of the pregnant woman considering having an abortion. The task of remaining neutral or unbiased in the situation would probably have been a key element to his observation. This statement is proved through a quote from his book titled “The Metropolis and Mental Life,” a collection of data on people’s interactions in city life, when he states “it is neither our task to accuse, nor to forgive, but only to understand.” It is safe to assume that when faced with the topic of abortion, Simmel would do his best to simply understand how and why the woman chose to birth or abort the unborn child. Simmel would observe the symbols and interactions, of the woman making this decision, within her environment. He would then arrive at a better understanding