Abortion. It is one of the most controversial, political, and emotionally charged topics in our country. Until 1973, with the passage of Roe v. Wade, abortion was illegal. However, today it is a constitutionally protected right. The legalization of abortion gave women the ability to control their bodies and childbearing safely. Before the legalization of abortion thousands of women were killed or seriously injured because they had no viable or safe way to terminate a pregnancy.
Abortion is currently under fire at both federal and state levels. In Minnesota, bills that would ban abortion past twenty weeks are advancing and a massive funding cut to Planned Parenthood passed in the House of Representatives at the federal level. Pro-lifers are fighting hard against abortion because they want to protect unborn children. They see abortion, and those who opt for abortions, as irrational "baby killers" with no morals. They are not seeing the big picture - to them reproduction exists in a box. They do not consider the long term efforts and financial responsibilities it takes to raise a child. They are turning deaf ears on the women and men who made the excruciatingly painful decision to terminate a pregnancy due to complications. People do not have abortions because they want to kill unborn children. They have abortions for a multitude of reasons, and are chastised for their actions, for using a constitutional right.
A constitutional right that does not deserve to be attacked any longer. Abortion is a necessary option. It is not a perfect option, and the decision to have an abortion is never made lightly. If abortions were illegal or severely restricted how would society handle these situations?
- What about women who are raped?
-Victims of incest?
-Young girls who are raped or victims of incest?
-What if the mother could die from completing the pregnancy?
-A woman in an abusive relationship?
Like it or not, these situations are real and abortion provides safe options for these women and women who might have gotten pregnant because of contraceptive failure. Often these women (and their partners) do not have the financial or emotional tools to raise a child in a safe, productive environment. They do not choose abortion because it is "the easy way out" they chose abortion because it is the best option.
The key to analyzing abortion is recognizing the facts and looking at broad effects, regardless of personal opinion. There are so many unwanted, neglected, and abused children in this world - do we really want to increase that number? Do we want to limit women's freedom over their bodies and chain them to childbearing? If abortion continues to be attacked, is society prepared to pay to feed, clothe, and educate children parents were forced to bring into this world? As a society we attack welfare and abortion but do not consider how decreasing abortion could very well increase the need for welfare. What we do need is more comprehensive sex education and wider availability of contraceptives - but this plan is often attacked by Pro-lifers as well.
We need to look at what is best for society, and right now having the option of legal and safe abortions is best. Perhaps one-day women and men will not have to make the painful decision to terminate a pregnancy. Perhaps contraception will become so widely available that unwanted pregnancies will be prevented not terminated. Perhaps medical science will advance and fetuses with chromosome disorders and other anomalies will be able to live happy, healthy lives instead of being born into a world of pain with almost no chance of survival. The decision to bear and raise a child is sacred - and every individual deserves to have the ability to make that decision, not be forced into a parental role. - JEN KALTVEIT
