Privacy and the American Constitution

This article reviews the history & legal interpretations of privacy & the constitutional protection of privacy in the US. The Supreme Court's recognition of Americans' right to privacy increased between 1965 (Griswold vs Connecticut) & 1973 (Roe vs Wade), but has shown a steady decline since 1973. Topics include the influence of the "right to be let alone," a phrase coined by Thomas Cooley in 1888; subsequent court decisions upholding that right; ambiguous language in Griswold & its impact on reproductive privacy; Justice Blackmun's opinion in Roe; critiques of Griswold & Roe by John Hart Ely, Robert H. Bork, & others; the Supreme Court's 1992 ruling in Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania vs Casey; & the present constitutional stature of privacy. 66 References. J. R. Callahan