The Abortion Issue and Why It’s Not So Simple

Why must the Republicans insist on taking us back to the Middle Ages! We want to look forward to a better future, not worry about what will bite us in the rear. On the 42nd anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the United States House of Representatives actually passed a bill finally, however, they seem to think they’re still in the 1970’s because they voted to permanently prohibit federal funding for abortions. Just when we should be celebrating at least 42 years of freedom of reproductive choice, they go and pull a stunt like this.

via House Passes Anti-Abortion Bill On Anniversary Of Roe v. Wade.

The truth of the matter is this – No one likes abortion. Abortion is one of the most invasively painful procedures, both physically and emotionally, for a woman (and her partner) to go through. However, often the alternative would be to bring a child into this world that would be unwanted and unloved. There’s also the risk of death via a number of ways including drug use by the mother, squalid living conditions of someone without the means to support a child or perhaps abuse at the hands of either parent or others in the household. Unfortunately, there’s also still a great risk of a mother dying in childbirth which could also threaten the child.

Many people get into deep philosophical arguments about the actual moment of conception and when a fetus actually becomes a baby, etc. There’s really not much to debate if you’re not the one who is pregnant. The biggest problem I see with the Republicans and others who proclaim the “Right to Life” for unborn fetuses is that no one seems to be offering any better alternatives to abortion. There seems to be no discussion about responsible reproductive education for those most likely to be considering the need for abortion. There also doesn’t seem to be much talk about helping to raise a child to adulthood if the mother chooses to give birth instead of having an abortion. Sure they try to convince the woman to go ahead and have the baby and possibly put it up for adoption if necessary, but do they pay the medical bills or provide adequate nutrition and care for the mother while she’s carrying the child in her womb? Haven’t seen much evidence of any generous patrons who offer to sponsor a mother who decides to go ahead with the pregnancy to full term.

We need better education to teach both girls and boys that sex is a responsibility and it should not be entered into without appropriate precautions so conception doesn’t take place. Safe sex, remember? I support the idea of handing out condoms to high school and college students. Unfortunately, it probably makes sense to hand them out at middle schools as well these days. Better safe then sorry.

Personally I think we need to rethink our entire approach to having children. From what I’ve seen through my more than half a century of life on this planet, most people put more time, money, thought and resources into planning their vacations than they do in planning for children. If you ask just about any parent how they happened to conceive, they’ll probably tell you, “it just happened.” Is that any way to continue the species?

So, we need to educate our current children to be more responsible in their choices regarding sex and put more thought into when it would be more appropriate to conceive or if it’s better to practice safe sex and just have some fun. But this should be after they reach an age when they can handle the emotional responsibility inherent in the sexual relationship and that might be different for each person, but definitely not until after about age 16 – preferably 18 in my book. Also, since this society is still geared to favor children born to a couple who is married, it’s probably better to steer those who feel they’re ready to raise children (and all the responsibilities that go along with that most important and challenging task) towards the institution of marriage. Children really do better when raised by both parents. But that means we should also spend more resources to help people communicate better so they can have more lasting relationships.

We should probably get started now with the infants we have and treat them better, care for them and provide for them and teach them responsible behavior so when they’re old enough to have sex themselves, they’re more likely to do it more thoughtfully and with better preparation so children are no longer “accidents” and don’t “just happen.” By then, we won’t have to have legislation against abortion because most people wouldn’t be putting themselves into the situation where they find abortion necessary.

But then I’ve always been an optimist and a dreamer and someone with common sense. In the meantime, stop eroding our hard won freedoms and civil rights and focus on leading this country towards peace!