If someone tells me, “My faith prohibits me from having an abortion,” I respect that and move on. However, when someone insists, “My beliefs dictate that you can’t have an abortion,” as many states are doing with their restrictive laws, that’s where the issue arises.
Honestly, I’m perplexed. If we truly uphold the notion of “We, the People” and genuinely care for lives, our advocacy should extend well beyond birth. It should include supporting individuals long after they enter this world.
We wouldn’t be slashing budgets for essential services like those offered by Planned Parenthood. Statistics clearly show that access to affordable birth control, medical check-ups, and safe abortions saves lives and actually reduces the overall number of abortions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Guttmacher Institute (GI), the abortion rate in the U.S. has notably declined over the past 25 years, reaching its lowest point since legalization in 1973.
Let’s face it: if someone is determined to have an abortion, they will find a way, and some may face dire consequences while doing so. Prohibiting abortions won’t eliminate the need for them; it will only make the procedure riskier and more dangerous for those involved. These laws often ignore the well-being of mothers and the welfare of children both during pregnancy and after birth.
The pro-life movement seems to have missed the mark. True pro-life advocacy should encompass the protection of all lives, including those who face complications from missed miscarriages who might suffer without necessary medical procedures, which could be denied under these new laws. It should also protect mothers who are terminally ill or carrying a fetus with a fatal diagnosis. Denying them the option of abortion essentially gambles with another human’s life, implying that one’s personal beliefs hold more weight than the realities of another’s existence.
Moreover, it should include individuals seeking a safe abortion for any reason. If the pro-life movement were genuinely about every heartbeat, the mantra of “every life matters” would be consistently applied beyond mere rhetoric.
Those opposed to abortion should recognize that cutting funds for programs like WIC or food stamps is detrimental. These initiatives support over 40 million Americans facing food insecurity, including 12 million children. If pro-lifers were truly committed to life, they would push for better funding in schools, ensuring that children are treated as individuals with needs rather than just statistics.
Issues like immigration would also be approached with compassion. Rather than building barriers, we would see a society that provides refuge and care for those in need. Children shouldn’t endure abuse, neglect, or hunger at the hands of a society that claims to prioritize life.
If pro-lifers were genuinely dedicated to life, they would advocate for sensible gun laws to prevent the senseless loss of life in mass shootings. In 2018 alone, the U.S. experienced 340 mass shootings. No one should have to live in fear of violence in public spaces.
The contradictions in the pro-life stance are glaring. How can one advocate for a fetus but ignore the needs of a hungry newborn? Why does a rapist walk free while a mother faces legal repercussions for her pregnancy choices?
And when will we see a return to the separation of church and state, allowing individuals to make personal choices based on their circumstances rather than imposed beliefs?
The decision to terminate a pregnancy is deeply personal and varies from person to person. Supporting the right to an abortion does not imply that one would choose it for themselves; it emphasizes the importance of allowing individuals to make their own decisions about their bodies and lives. Those who can conceive are not merely vessels for procreation; they are multi-dimensional humans deserving of autonomy.
The privilege of some pro-lifers often leads to a lack of empathy for those with different experiences. Therefore, I ask: when will those claiming to be pro-life truly step up to protect all lives? Until that happens, it seems their focus remains solely on the fetus.
In conclusion, being pro-life should extend beyond the moment of birth; it should involve caring for individuals throughout their lives and supporting their needs. If we truly want to advocate for life, our efforts must reflect that commitment in all aspects of society.
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