Abortion, defined as the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, is one of the most controversial issues in society. Many people believe that abortion is immoral and morally wrong, while others believe that it is a woman's right to decide what to do with her own body. According to www.census.gov, “the number of abortions performed each year in the United States has stabilized at 1.2 million per year” (1). This statistic supports the number of women who choose abortion. Although abortion is legal in the United States, many people continue to express their opinions about how it represents a violation of human rights and how it should be illegal everywhere. The practice of abortion should be banned in society because it ends the life of an innocent unborn child, causes long-term emotional effects, as well as serious health risks to women who opt for abortion. The abortion debate continues to be a controversial issue in society and has existed for many decades. According to Jone Lewis, “In the United States, abortion laws began to appear around 1820, banning abortion after the fourth month of pregnancy” (1). This indicates that the abortion controversy was debated a long time ago in American history. Starting in 1900, the legalization of abortion became a major controversy. In 1965, all fifty states in the United States banned abortion; however, that was only the beginning of the controversy that still rages today (Lewis 1). After abortion was officially banned in the United States, groups such as the National Abortion Rights Action League worked hard on a plan to legalize abortion again in the United States (Lewis 1). It was not until 1970 that the case of Roe (for abortion) v. Wade (against abortion) was presented… at the center of the document… s: A list of the major physical complications related to abortion .” After the abortion. Np, November 23, 1999. Web. March 15, 2012. Babbel, Susan, Ph.D. “Post-Abortion Stress Syndrome (PASS): Does It Exist?” Psychology today. Np, October 25, 2010. Web. March 14, 2012. .Lewis, Jone Johnson. "History of abortion". History of women. Np, 2012. Web. March 12, 2012. “People Looking to Adopt.” Information portal on children's well-being. NP, February 2011. Web. March 13, 2012. “Problems After Abortion.” Wisconsin Right to Life. Np, 2011. Web. 13 March 2012. .Roleff, Tamara L., ed. Abortion Opposing points of view. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1997. Print. “Types of Abortion Procedures.” American Pregnancy Association. Np, November 2011. Web. 15 March. 2012. .