27. Intro

The government uses power in order to maintain a functioning and peaceful society. Having laws and rules is crucial when people make everyday decisions. In the United States, society has the freedom to make many personal choices, but their rights are limited when the outcome of their choices could cause harm to others. Authority figures enforce regulations so that people do not take advantage of their freedom. On the other hand it is important that power is not abused. Power and control can make it extremely simple for one to let matters get out of hand. Although parents let their teenagers go out on the weekends, they could instill a curfew to place boundaries on their privileges. Issues could arise if they begin to misuse their authority and as a consequence their children suffer. Parents exhibit control over their children just as the government has over its citizens. As a people we trust in the government to be fair and ethical when making decisions that impact us. Human beings share this similar power over their bodies. Sometimes we forget the sanctity of our bodies and take human life for granted. We have the right to choose whether or not to permanently mark ourselves with a tattoo, expose our skin in a tanning bed, and even whether or not to receive an abortion. However we are not legally aloud to decide to sell our bodies via prostitution, ingest alcohol below a certain age, or sell our organs to dying patients. There needs to be a balance between our own control and the governments power when it comes to decisions being made about the human body.