Logic Over Emotions
Why I am Pro-Choice
February 23, 2021
“Pro-Choice” is the belief that women have control over their body, and can choose what to do with it medically. It is the idea that abortion is an appropriate option for an unplanned pregnancy. But this ideal can be quite controversial in the society we live in today.
It seems as though there is no middle ground between the two sides when it comes to abortion laws. And many who are against pro-choice laws tend to speak over those who those very laws affect.
While abortion is not illegal in the United States, the increase in restrictive laws has made it harder for women to access a safe abortion clinic. Not only are women berated on the internet, but they are also harassed in public by people who identify as “pro-life”. Pro-life is the belief that abortion is the murder of a fetus.
Why is abortion a sensitive topic? Many believe abortion is the killing of a fetus, but according to Healthline, “a baby-to-be isn’t considered a fetus until the ninth week after conception, or week 11 after your last menstrual period.” This means that a pregnancy that hasn’t reached the ninth week is not considered a living human being, and therefore not murder. Healthline also proves all of the science behind pregnancy and the facts that counteract the stigma against abortion.
It is illegal in many places to get an abortion, but that doesn’t mean pregnancies aren’t still being terminated. If a pregnancy is unplanned for, women and people who are impregnated can still get an abortion through harmful (and sometimes fatal) measures. By making it illegal, lawmakers are making it more likely for unsafe medical procedures at home. The World Health Organization states that “25 million unsafe abortions take place each year, the vast majority of them in developing countries.”
Not only does the illegalization of abortion make unsafe abortions more likely, but it also creates a bigger issue for adoption and foster facilities. By scaring women into keeping their pregnancy, there is a higher chance they will give their children away. This fills the adoption and foster system with many more young children due to the fact that the parents cannot take care of them; more than the already crumbling system is able to withstand.
Cisgender women are not the only gender impacted by the strict abortion laws, as too are trans men, intersex individuals, and other vast gender identities.
Cisgender is a term for people whose gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth. According to Amnesty International, “28% transgender and gender non-conforming individuals report facing harassment in medical settings, and 19% report being refused medical care altogether due to their transgender status, with even higher numbers among communities of color.” This discrimination leads to more unsafe abortions and more minority children being thrust into the foster care system.
The strict abortion laws and discrimination against women and the LGBT+ community are not taking away the number of abortions. This is only putting people in danger and making it more likely for children to be given away due to the inability to care for a child or begin life in poverty. Women all over the world are scared to have a simple medical operation due to harassment by those who have different beliefs.
Sean Bruce | Mar 3, 2021 at 9:30 am
Great story Sammy, well written and a great representation of the pro-choice movement.
Alex Reyes | Mar 2, 2021 at 8:19 am
Another thing, millions of families every year are looking to have children but are unable to Because they are either infertile, too old, or other complications. There are millions if not thousands of families looking to adopt or foster a child. And to prevent abortions and adding children to the foster care system and adoption centers just don’t proceed with intercourse if you are not looking to have a child.
Alex Reyes | Mar 2, 2021 at 8:03 am
So if a “Fetus” Is not a living being until the 9th week why is it that if u are to murder pregnant women it’s considered a double murder regardless of the trimester? Just curious about ur logic here, also about 98% of biologists agree that life begins at conception.