Anti-abortion movements, often referred to as pro-life movements by their advocates, are involved in the abortion debate advocating against the practice of abortion and its legality. Many anti-abortion movements began as countermovements in response to the legalization of elective abortions. Abortion is the intentional termination of a human pregnancy. On January 22, 1973 the US supreme court legalized abortions in a 7-2 decision. There are roughly 1.06 million abortions that happen every year throughout the United States, but the highest rate being in California at 181,730 abortions. Most abortions are done because the women are not financially ready, or because they just are not ready for that type of responsibility.[cite?]