Pregnancy is something that must be taken seriously. It is one of the largest responsibilities a woman can take on in her lifetime. It is expected that a mother should assume full responsibility and ensure that the child is healthy and safe until he or she is able to take care of and provide for themselves Furthermore, a lot of research has shown a direct correlation between tobacco smoking during pregnancies and health problems for both the child and the mother. In result that is why many people debate whether or not woman are entitled the freedom of choice in regard to smoking during pregnancy. Philosopher John Locke would most likely not approve of hindering your own health, however he is a firm believer that a person is entitled to make his or her own choices in regards to their body. “Every man, in that, has the supreme and absolute Authority of judging for himself.” For this reason, Locke explains this through his concept of voluntarism.
…show more content…
When he states “ a thing is good for me only if I believe it is good for me,” he implies that if you want to smoke you should not be told to do otherwise. In no way would Locke support a law against smoking because a law is supposed to benefit society as a whole and due to the fact that society has permitted smoking it would be hypocritical to deny people of it. Furthermore, denying someone of personal sovereignty will ultimately break the social contract because it is supposed to protect the life, liberty, and property of citizens. Another reason why Locke would not support a ban on smoking during pregnancy is because it does not affect the public good. Not every woman smokes and therefore there will always is some healthy children. However, if all the women in an entire population began to smoke during pregnancy then Locke would be in support of government intervention in order to ensure and protect the common good of the future of the state. In addition, Locke would believe that no outer force can make something such as a ban legitimate, and that a person will only change their actions and beliefs if it comes form within. Even if the government punishes or arrests pregnant woman who smoke, that will not change their stance on smoking. Therefore, in order to find a middle ground Locke would advocate for women to be informed about the negative affects smoking has on ones health and the health of an unborn child. He would emphasize that smoking is form of-self neglect and violence and even though the state is not in a position to impose a law concerning ones health, a person should take the time to educate themselves on the issue. Ultimately, even though Locke does not believe in the toleration of harming another human, before a child is born he or she is not protected by the state and in result the adult holds the right to make her own choices regarding his or her bodily health. While it is unfair for a child to have no say in its health, due to the importance Locke places on individual freedom, there is no way to prevent woman from being forced to stop smoking. Personally, I agree with how Locke would approach smoking during pregnancy. Many people believe that a human being does not obtain rights and liberties until the day the child born and therefore believe embryo would not be entitled the
When he states “ a thing is good for me only if I believe it is good for me,” he implies that if you want to smoke you should not be told to do otherwise. In no way would Locke support a law against smoking because a law is supposed to benefit society as a whole and due to the fact that society has permitted smoking it would be hypocritical to deny people of it. Furthermore, denying someone of personal sovereignty will ultimately break the social contract because it is supposed to protect the life, liberty, and property of citizens. Another reason why Locke would not support a ban on smoking during pregnancy is because it does not affect the public good. Not every woman smokes and therefore there will always is some healthy children. However, if all the women in an entire population began to smoke during pregnancy then Locke would be in support of government intervention in order to ensure and protect the common good of the future of the state. In addition, Locke would believe that no outer force can make something such as a ban legitimate, and that a person will only change their actions and beliefs if it comes form within. Even if the government punishes or arrests pregnant woman who smoke, that will not change their stance on smoking. Therefore, in order to find a middle ground Locke would advocate for women to be informed about the negative affects smoking has on ones health and the health of an unborn child. He would emphasize that smoking is form of-self neglect and violence and even though the state is not in a position to impose a law concerning ones health, a person should take the time to educate themselves on the issue. Ultimately, even though Locke does not believe in the toleration of harming another human, before a child is born he or she is not protected by the state and in result the adult holds the right to make her own choices regarding his or her bodily health. While it is unfair for a child to have no say in its health, due to the importance Locke places on individual freedom, there is no way to prevent woman from being forced to stop smoking. Personally, I agree with how Locke would approach smoking during pregnancy. Many people believe that a human being does not obtain rights and liberties until the day the child born and therefore believe embryo would not be entitled the