In today’s political landscape, when Frank Johnson, a vocal anti-choice figure, speaks about wanting to “uphold the sanctity of life in American law,” he certainly isn’t prioritizing the sanctity of women’s lives. His commitment to eliminating safe abortion access places countless women’s lives at serious risk.
During a recent address to a prominent anti-abortion group, Johnson expressed satisfaction with the “progress” made under the current administration in restricting legal abortion both domestically and internationally. He proudly highlighted the reinstated Mexico City Policy, which cuts U.S. funding to organizations that provide abortion services overseas, and touted his pivotal vote that allows states to defund clinics like Planned Parenthood.
This raises a crucial question: How can those who claim to value life advocate for policies that jeopardize women’s health and well-being? The so-called “pro-life” movement starkly overlooks the realities faced by women both in the U.S. and beyond. Johnson’s assertion that banning abortion aligns with respecting life is not just misleading; it’s dangerously incorrect.
History has shown that making abortion illegal does not eliminate the demand for it. Instead, it forces women into unsafe situations, leading to a significant increase in health risks. According to the Guttmacher Policy Review, illegal abortions caused the deaths of 2,700 women in 1930—18% of all maternal deaths that year. The numbers remained troubling through the mid-20th century, with estimates of 200,000 to 1.2 million illegal abortions occurring in the 1950s and 1960s, which still accounted for 17% of maternal fatalities.
Women subjected to unsafe abortions often faced severe complications, including infections and septic shock. It is no secret that wealthier women historically had better access to safer, albeit illegal, procedures compared to their poorer counterparts. Should abortion be banned today, this disparity would almost certainly resurface.
According to the latest CDC abortion surveillance report, over 650,000 women underwent abortions in 2014 alone. Does Johnson genuinely believe that outlawing abortion will change the choices of these women? It’s clear that prohibiting abortion will only drive women back to perilous and illegal methods.
Let’s also consider the implications for those who might avoid illegal abortions due to the associated risks. Many of these children could face challenging beginnings, being born into poverty or unstable environments. What about the psychological consequences of adoption for women who must carry an unwanted pregnancy to term? The mental health repercussions are significant, especially in cases of rape or incest, where the trauma is compounded by the stigma of carrying a pregnancy to term.
When these children are born, what kind of healthcare will they receive? The Republican party’s recent attempts to attach funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to partisan legislation exemplify a troubling hypocrisy—leveraging essential healthcare for low-income children while pushing their political agenda. CHIP also provides care for pregnant women in various states, highlighting the inconsistency in their policies.
If Johnson truly valued life, he would advocate for increased access to contraception and comprehensive sex education, which have been proven to reduce unwanted pregnancies and, consequently, abortions. Despite the current decline in the abortion rate in the U.S. since the Roe v. Wade decision, the anti-choice movement remains intent on reverting to a time when women faced unsafe and clandestine procedures.
The statistics are clear: making abortion illegal jeopardizes women’s lives. It does not restore the sanctity of life but instead inflicts physical and emotional harm on countless women. Frank Johnson, it’s time to acknowledge that women’s lives are equally sacred and deserving of respect.
For more information on this topic, you can explore resources like American Pregnancy for insights on donor insemination, or check out Make a Mom for guidance on at-home insemination kits. And if you’re interested in understanding the implications of your choices further, take a look at our terms and conditions.
Summary
Criminalizing abortion does not protect lives; it endangers them. Historical evidence shows that making abortion illegal leads to increased maternal deaths and health complications. The anti-choice rhetoric fails to consider the consequences for women and the quality of life for children born into challenging circumstances. Advocating for better access to reproductive health resources is essential for promoting genuine respect for life.