Could a 13th Amendment argument work as a defense of abortion rights?

Hear me out, because I don’t think I’m entirely crazy with this one.

If there is some nationwide or statewide abortion put into place, or one so restrictive that it may as well be, can it be argued that it’s a 13th amendment violation? The state is effectively forcing a woman to provide another human being with their labor, their personal liberty and comfort, their resources of every kind, all while putting their health and safety at significant risk, without any form of compensation or consent. That sounds like the government is forcing them to endure indentured servitude or slavery to me.

Posted Jun 13, 2026, 11:29 PM UTC

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